title: Cardiovascular risk assessment of South Asian populations in religious and community settings: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality, and South Asian groups experience worse outcomes than the general population in the UK. Regular screening for CVD risk factors is recommended, but we do not know the best settings in which to deliver this for ethnically diverse populations. Health promotion in religious and community settings may reduce inequalities in access to cardiovascular preventative health care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To use stakeholders' and attendees' experiences to explore the feasibility and potential impact of cardiovascular risk assessment targeting South Asian groups at religious and community venues and how health checks in these settings might compare with general practice assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used. The settings were two Hindu temples, one mosque and one Bangladeshi community centre in central and north-west London. Twenty-four participants (12 stakeholders and 12 attendees) were purposively selected for interview. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes from the data were generated using thematic framework analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All attendees reported positive experiences of the assessments. All reported making lifestyle changes after the check, particularly to diet and exercise. Barriers to lifestyle change, e.g. resistance to change from family members, were identified. Advantages of implementing assessments in religious and community settings compared with general practice included accessibility and community encouragement. Disadvantages included reduced privacy, organizational difficulties and lack of follow-up care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiovascular risk assessment in religious and community settings has the potential to trigger lifestyle change in younger participants. These venues should be considered for future health promotional activities.
authors: International Centre for Circulatory Health, Imperial College, London, UK. s.eastwood@imperial.ac.uk
authors: Sophie V
authors: SV
authors: Eastwood
authors: Greta
authors: G
authors: Rait
authors: Mimi
authors: M
authors: Bhattacharyya
authors: Devaki R
authors: DR
authors: Nair
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Walters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001211:Asia, Western / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D054521:Cultural Competency; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; NHS health checks; South Asian.; general practice; primary prevention