Love Your Heart: Community research to improve cardiovascular health in central Albania

The leading cause of mortality in modern Albania is cardiovascular disease (CVD), partially attributable to the southeastern European country’s post-Socialist nutritional transition. Limited prevention resources and programs in the country call for initiatives to assess and reduce the prevalence of known risk factors for CVD, including diabetes, hypertension, smoking, high blood cholesterol, and lack of physical activity. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Albania assessed CVD risk factor knowledge and status in both Albanian and Roma, a minority ethnic group, communities near Tirana, the capital city. Screenings (n=95) were conducted by a mobile clinic team to evaluate blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, smoking, physical activity, dietary awareness, and personal and family history. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys (n=60) and a focus group (n=8) addressing dietary practices, CVD information sources, and attitudes on prevention were also implemented via door-to-door recruitment. Large disparities in knowledge of risk factors and prevention, and health behaviors such as fruit and vegetable consumption and smoking, were observed between the Roma and Albanian communities. Most participants could identify whether behaviors had a positive or negative effect on CVD, while nearly all participants expressed a lack of understanding of how food directly affects their health. The majority of respondents expressed interest in learning about CVD prevention (90%) and other health topics (87%). Increased community education, lifestyle modification, and health services programs that incorporate the diverse cultural and socioeconomic needs of the population are needed in order to reduce CVD prevalence and promote health.