EPIDEMIOLOGY BASED PLANNING OF AN INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FOR CORONARY RISK PREVENTION

A population based cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken on a randomly selected sample of 2400 army personnel at Delhi to assess the prevalence of well-established coronary risk factors (tobacco use, systemic arterial hypertension, overweight, dietary risk, and lack of regular physical exercise) and their association with certain determinant variables, viz, age, social status, education, and occupation. Data analysis through mathematical models indicated that age more than 35 years, Junior Commissioned Officer rank, and education more than 10th standard were independent and significant predictors of the presence of at least 2 coronary risk factors. These variables were used for identifying high risk target audience. The study indicated that a much higher proportion of target audience desired that the Regimental Medical Officers should provide them with health education regarding coronary risk factor prevention and that the mode of communication should be "small group discussions" of 4 to 5 persons. The linear trend analysis showed a highly significant result in respect of both these variables (p < 0.01). Based on these findings, an information, education and communication strategy was planned and pilot-tested in the field and recommendations were submitted.