title: Effects of preventive home visits by district nurses on self-reported health of 75-year-olds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of preventive home visits (PHVs) by district nurses (DNs) on the self-reported health of 75-year-olds, including changes in self-reported health after the visits. The study also investigated whether or not the participants believed the visit was useful.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is a need for methods that promote health among older persons so that they can remain healthy as long as possible. One such method is PHVs. In Sweden, the Stockholm County Council decided to implement such visits to 75-year-olds.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a cluster-controlled trial carried out in Stockholm. Sixteen healthcare centres (HCCs) were randomly selected from five geographic medical areas in the county. Eight were assigned to the study group (SG) and eight to the control group (CG). The 75-year-olds registered at these centres (SG n=176, CG n=262) filled in a questionnaire before and after the intervention. Each SG member received a PHV from a DN, and the CG was treated as usual.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At follow-up, both the groups reported decreased health and well-being. However, the SG reported a significant reduction in pain as an effect of the PHV. Participants in the SG reported increased knowledge of local community and county council services, more contacts with their HCCs and increased use of medication. The PHV had no effect on health behaviour. The CG reported significantly more problems in the categories of activities of daily living (ADL) and breathing/circulation. Eighty-four per cent of the participants reported that the PHV was somewhat useful, useful or very useful.
authors.affiliation: 1Karolinska Institutet,Department of Neurobiology,Care Science and Society,Stockholm,Sweden.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: 2Division of Family Medicine,Stockholm,Sweden.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Söderhielm-Blid
authors.affiliation: 3Karolinska Institutet,Department of Neurobiology,Division of Nursing,Care Science and Society,Stockholm,Sweden.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forsberg
authors.affiliation: 1Karolinska Institutet,Department of Neurobiology,Care Science and Society,Stockholm,Sweden.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karp
authors.affiliation: 4Centre for Family Medicine (CeFAM),Alfred Nobels Alle´,Stockholm,Sweden.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Törnkvist
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006792:House Calls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064691:Nurses, Community Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
keywords: 75-year-olds; district nurse; health and well-being; health behaviour; preventive home visit