Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102794

L. Louise Ivanov, DNS, RN, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina Greensboro, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, 336-334-5105, llivanov@uncg.edu, Ellen Jones, ND, FNP-BC, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, Lois VonCannon, MSN, ANP-BC, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina - Greensboro, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, and Debra C. Wallace, PhD RN, School of Nursing, Univ. of North Carolina at Greensboro, 210 Moore Building, UNCG-NURSING, Greensboro, NC 27612.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and its components in a rural Russian community. A second purpose was to provide nursing students with a research focused service learning activity. The metabolic syndrome is defined as having the presence of 3 or more of the following components: obesity, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and elevated glucose. Russia is currently experiencing death rates from cardiovascular heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes twice the rates in Western Europe. Students were trained in Russian culture, health care, and human subjects' protection prior to the trip. Consent was obtained and collected. Lifestyle and physiological data were collected. In addition, health screenings focused on diabetes and cardiovascular disease were conducted. Of the 122 subjects, more than half (57%) had 3 or more components for the metabolic syndrome. Obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar were the most frequent MS components experienced. Students conducted teaching projects on heart disease, diabetes, nutrition, and exercise. Russian health care providers were involved in all aspects of this project. The findings provided clinic staff with diagnostic information and students with the opportunity to share in evidence-based practice within a different cultural setting.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify risk factors for the metabolic syndrome among the Russian population.
• Evaluate approaches to implementing research findings into practice in the Russian health care setting
• Assess the benefits of integrating research into an international service learning project for nursing students.

Keywords: International Health, Nursing Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.