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Sex differences in the impact of a community-based program for non-communicable disease prevention: The Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP)

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Abstract

Aims

To study the feasibility and impact of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based program directed towards reducing modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we reported the differences in the impacts of IHHP on physical activity, smoking and nutritional behaviors of a study population based on sex.

Subjects and methods

Using multi-stage cluster sampling on people aged ≥19 years of both intervention and reference areas, 12,514 individuals in 2001, 5,891 in 2002, 4,793 in 2003 and 6,097 in 2004 as well as a sample of 3,011 participants from the intervention area in 2005 were enrolled. Women made up 50.8 percent of participants, with similar proportions from 2001 to 2005 and comparable distribution between intervention and reference areas. Eight distinct component interventional projects were designed separately for both sexes to improve modifiable risk factors in the intervention area. The WHO STEPwise risk factor surveillance questionnaires were used to conduct the annual cross-sectional surveys for behavioral changes. Estimates of intervention effect ratio were conducted based on annual changes in the behavioral modifiable risk factors for both men and women.

Results

Intervention activities positively affected the total and leisure-time physical activities in men, but not women. Dietary choice of both sexes showed modest degrees of improvement. Smoking status of men improved in the study period (except 2004), while the effect on women was not significant.

Conclusions

Further interventions to improve physical activity in women should be regarded as a health priority in Iran. Sex differences should be considered in implementing any health promotion activity.

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Acknowledgment

The study has been approved by the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center Research Council by grant no. 81126 and was funded by grant no. HQ/03/873531 from the WHO Department of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion. The authors would like to thank the large team who conducted the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program.

Conflict of interest

The authors disclose any relevant associations that might pose a conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Khoram St, Isfahan, Iran

    Nizal Sarrafzadegan, Masoumeh Sadeghi, Aliakbar Tavassoli, Masood Mohseni, Hasan Alikhasi, Katayoun Rabiei & Ahmad Bahonar

  2. Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box: 81465-1148, Isfahan, Iran

    Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Authors
  1. Nizal Sarrafzadegan
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  2. Masoumeh Sadeghi
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  3. Aliakbar Tavassoli
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  4. Masood Mohseni
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  5. Hasan Alikhasi
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  6. Katayoun Rabiei
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  7. Ahmad Bahonar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nizal Sarrafzadegan.

Additional information

Grant no. HQ/03/873531, WHO Department of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion

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Sarrafzadegan, N., Sadeghi, M., Tavassoli, A. et al. Sex differences in the impact of a community-based program for non-communicable disease prevention: The Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). J Public Health 17, 257–263 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-008-0240-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-008-0240-7

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