title: Cardiovascular disease prevention in Ghana: feasibility of a faith-based organizational approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility of using community health workers (CHWs) to implement cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programmes within faith-based organizations in Accra, Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Faith-based organization capacity, human resources, health programme sustainability/barriers and community members' knowledge were evaluated. Data on these aspects were gathered through a mixed method design consisting of in-depth interviews and focus groups with 25 church leaders and health committee members from five churches, and of a survey of 167 adult congregants from two churches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The delivery of a CVD prevention programme in faith-based organizations by CHWs is feasible. Many faith-based organizations already provide health programmes for congregants and involve non-health professionals in their health-care activities, and most congregants have a basic knowledge of CVD. Yet despite the feasibility of the proposed approach to CVD prevention through faith-based organizations, sociocultural and health-care barriers such as poverty, limited human and economic resources and limited access to health care could hinder programme implementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The barriers to implementation identified in this study need to be considered when defining CVD prevention programme policy and planning.
authors: Childrens Aid Society, New York City, NY 10017, USA. pabanilla@msn.com
authors: Patricia Karen A
authors: PK
authors: Abanilla
authors: Keng-Yen
authors: KY
authors: Huang
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Shinners
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Levy
authors: Kojo
authors: K
authors: Ayernor
authors: Ama de-Graft
authors: Ad
authors: Aikins
authors: Olugbenga
authors: O
authors: Ogedegbe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003150:Community Health Workers; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005869:Ghana; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012068:Religion and Medicine