Low-budget method for lifestyle improvement in primary care. Experiences from the Göteborg Health Profile Project.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a self-administered preventive tool dealing with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and its effect with special reference to the question: did the project involve persons most in need of lifestyle changes?


METHODS
Screening questions offered to consecutive patients and followed by a self-administered health profile, intervention, and follow-up. Setting. Primary healthcare area of Askim, Sweden.


METHODS
Men and women between 18 and 65 years of age visiting GPs for acute disorders or planned visits during a three-month period were offered screening questions and, if wanted, a health profile.


METHODS
Participation rates, effects on lifestyle factors.


RESULTS
There was an overrepresentation of subjects with a less favourable lifestyle among those who asked for the health profile. There was good agreement for all variables between self-estimation in screening questions and grading in the basal health profile. Lifestyle improvement was observed for dietary habits, physical activity, and mental stress at the one year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that a relevant selection of persons with a "risk profile" can be made by means of simple screening questions. The pedagogic model using self-administered health profile in combination with own responsibility seems to be a tool for low-budget preventive work in primary healthcare.
Blomstrand
Ann
A
Department of Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. ann.blomstrand@vgregion.se
Lindqvist
Peter
P
Carlsson
Ingrid Enocsson
IE
Pedersen
Niels
N
Bengtsson
Calle
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden