A faith-based screening/education program for diabetes, CVD, and stroke in rural African Americans

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a faith-based health screening/education program to ultimately reduce risk factors for diabetes (DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and stroke (CVA) in a southern, rural, African-American population. Over 120 parishioners from four rural African-American churches attended health education/screening programs offered as a part of their Bible Study. The majority of participants were female, married, with a mean age of 45 years. The program included education about prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes (DM), and stroke (CVA) followed by health screening, individual counseling, and healthy snacks. Pre/post test surveys for health knowledge were given. While the pre/post health knowledge scores showed some improvement, they were not statistically significant indicating the need for more than one program. Participants under age 30 and over age 60 years had the least knowledge on the pretest about these illnesses compared to the middle-age group. Almost 50% were found to have high blood pressure, and 14% had high blood sugar levels of which they were unaware. Participant and pastor feedback was positive and supported the feasibility of ongoing faith-based screening/ education programs as one way to meet the health needs of a rural African-American population.