Preventive behaviours in the Hutterite community following a nurse-managed cholesterol screening program.

In this study we examined the effect of a nurse-managed cholesterol screening program on the preventive health behaviours (e.g., diet changes, weight loss, medical surveillance) of 534 Hutterites. Hutterites are the largest single rural ethnic group in Canada and they have been found to be at high risk for heart disease. Eighty-one percent of the participants engaged in at least one preventive behaviour. Ongoing cholesterol surveillance was reported by 34.5% of the participants. Weight loss and dietary fat reduction were reported by 31% and 62% of the respondents, respectively. Seven percent of the respondents began lipid-lowering pharmacologic therapy. Screening cholesterol levels and age were significantly related to all of the outcomes except weight loss. This study provides evidence that community-based screening accompanied by counselling and referral by nurses can positively affect preventive behaviours.