Rural communities across the United States suffer from multiple health disparities that range from access to care to awareness of medical information. These disparities are characterized by increased incidence of illnesses, mortality rates, lower quality of life, and lower life expectancy when compared to the general urban population. Several risk factors have been identified that play a direct role in these characteristics. These include geographic isolation, lower socioeconomic status, higher rates of health risk behaviors, and limited job opportunities, and less health education.
Hawkins County Tennessee is one such rural community that suffers from these disparities. The leading cause of death in Hawkins County is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to the nature of disease, early life long modifiable risk factors play a critical role in its development. Health education and awareness of the disease is also a key factor in the disease's effects in the community. Studies have shown that early life healthcare awareness is an “important determinant of adult health status.” This led us to examine the current state of cardiovascular disease awareness and perception among teens in the community.
To examine the current perception of CVD in Hawkins country we created an assessment for ninth grade students attending Cherokee Highschool during their health class block. We also aimed to assess the effectiveness of an interactive interventional educational program targeted at both educating the technical knowledge surrounding CVD and at reducing modifiable risk factors that lead to CVD.
The interactive educational program was designed and given to students (n=82; 47 Male 35 Female) across 5 class period in two sections (Cardiovascular health and Nutritional & Physical health) that were taught one week apart. Students underwent a Pre-test/survey that examined four areas of interest: perception & technical knowledge of CVD, perception of physical activity, perception of nutrition and diet, and current family health. After completing the program students were then given an identical post-test/survey. Result means were compared between Pre and Post survey using Independent sample T-test.
Analysis showed that technical understanding of CVD and of modifiable risk factor significantly increased across all areas (P
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:asrf-1448 |
| Date | 12 April 2019 |
| Creators | Pinkston, Justin, Dawoud, Fakhry, Stamper, Laura |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Appalachian Student Research Forum |
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