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Community change agents and health interventions: Hypertension screening
Author(s) -
Artz Lynn,
Cooke Christine J.,
Meyers Andrew,
Stalgaitis Susan
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/bf00896070
Subject(s) - memphis , library science , citation , associate editor , state (computer science) , gerontology , psychological intervention , sociology , psychology , medicine , computer science , psychiatry , botany , algorithm , biology
This study explores a community-based approach to health care. Community volunteers were trained and then conducted door-to-door screening for hypertension. Three large apartment complexes were selected for screening. In the two experimental communities, a letter was sent to each household soliciting volunteers who were then trained to measure blood pressure, complete data sheets, gain admittance to houses, and make appropriate recommendations for medical consultation. The residents in the control community received letters informing them of the hours during which they could have their blood pressure checked free of charge in the apartment complex rental office. Chi-square tests on number of apartments screened indicated the experimental door-to-door screening methods was significantly more effective than the control central site method. These results demonstrate that the experimental screening project was a highly effective and inexpensive technique for hypertension screening.