204223 Improving student knowledge of cardiovascular risk: Results from the CARING (Caring, Reaching out, and Involving Communities) Initiative

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Christa Ice, PhD , Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Valerie Minor, RN, MSN , Nursing, Alderson-Broadus College, Phillipi, WV
Background: In response to results from the CARDIAC (Coronary Artery Risk Detection In Appalachian Communities) Project, a chronic disease risk surveillance and intervention initiative designed to combat the high prevalence of obesity, heart disease and diabetes in West Virginia, the CARING (Caring, Reaching out, and Involving Communities) initiative was created.

Description: CARING is a community health nursing education initiative that provides hands-on teaching/learning experience, and emphasizes the eight tenets of public health nursing identified by the Quad Council. CARING is taught by senior community nursing students and faculty to a subset of the fifth grade CARDIAC sample. The five-lesson curriculum, focusing on primary prevention, includes modules on cardio-pulmonary anatomy and physiology, stress management, tobacco avoidance, healthy eating and physical activity.

Results: Recent data with 29 students showed significant increases in children's knowledge:

• Basic cardio-pulmonary anatomy and physiology: pre M = 13.79%, post M = 62.07%; t = -8.72, p < .05,

• Stress management: pre M = 40.52%, post M = 61.21%; t = -2.95, p < .05,

• Tobacco avoidance: pre M = 27.59%, post M = 56.03%; t = -3.78, p < .05,

• Healthy eating: pre M = 33.33%, post M = 47.13%; t = -2.12, p < .05,

• Physical activity: pre M = 41.38%, post M = 77.59%; t = -5.89, p < .05.

Conclusion: The CARING program significantly increased student knowledge. School nurses and nursing students involved in community or school settings can use CARING to improve primary prevention among elementary-school aged children.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe basic anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system and four modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease at a developmentally appropriate level for school aged children. 2. Describe active teaching/learning strategies aimed at cardiovascular risk reduction for school-aged children. 3. Apply the knowledge gained and strategies demonstrated to similar teaching/learning opportunities in the participant’s community. 4. Design an evidence-based teaching plan supported by statistically significant data for all five lessons as described in the first objective.

Keywords: Community Education, Child/Adolescent

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Faculty with WVU dept. of Pediatrics, work with the CARDIAC project. Responsible for analysis and writing of this abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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