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K Koskela

Publications and source records attributed to K Koskela.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

The role of lay workers in community health education: experiences of the North Karelia project.

The role of natural community leaders in serving as lay health workers in a comprehensive community health programme has been explored. In rural Finland, nearly 300 persons were trained to detect cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, high-cholesterol diet, high blood pressure) in their communities, and to advise community members of the desirability of lowering these risk factors. Initial data from studies of the lay health workers and their intervention work support the concept that carefully select community health workers who are to varying degrees representative of their local populations, can well act as intermediaries in preventive health care strategies.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1979

Changes in coronary risk factors during comprehensive five-year community programme to control cardiovascular diseases (North Karelia project).

A comprehensive community programme to control cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in North Karelia, Finland, was carried out during 1972-7. The central intermediate objective of the programme was to reduce the prevalence of smoking, the serum cholesterol concentration, and raised blood-pressure values among the population of the area. The effect was evaluated by examining independent representative population samples in 1972 and 1977 in both the county of North Karelia and a matched control county. Over 10 000 subjects were studied each time, the participation rate being around 90%. The decrease that occurred in the risk factors, especially in men, was in general greater in North Karelia compared with the control county. When a multiple logistic function was used for the three risk factors an overall mean net reduction of 17% among men and 12% among women was observed in the estimated risk for coronary heart disease in North Karelia. This community programme effectively reduced the levels of the three main risk factors for CVD in the population, and thus mortality and morbidity from CVD should fall. This is assessed in further studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

The levels of the major risk indicators of cardiovascular diseases in Eastern Finland rior to a community-based intervention programme. (The North Karelia project).

The design, implementation and the major results of a study for measuring the prevalent CHD risk indicators in Eastern Finland are presented. The study formed the baseline survey of the North Karelia Project and was conducted in 1972 for a representative random sample of the population aged 25-59 in the county of North Karelia and a matched reference area. Altogether 11.992 persons were examined with a participation rate of 93% in North Karelia and 90% in the reference area. The prevalence rates of the "hard" CHD risk indicators (blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and triglycerides) are presented and reference is made to the prevalence rates of some other "softer" risk indicators. In general, the level of the "hard" risk indicators is high and this is especially true for the younger males. The two areas resemble each other closely in these respects as was anticipated. In the discussion the results are reviewed from the point of view of the primary preventive programme.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The North Karelia Project: a programme for community control of cardiovascular diseases.

In this article the background and principles of the intervention and evaluation of the North Karelia Project are presented. The project is a comprehensive community control programme concerning cardiovascular diseases in the province of North Karelia, Eastern Finland. In the baseline survey of the project (1972), 25-59-year-old males had a particularly high of CVD level risk factors; there were 54% current smokers, the mean cholesterol was 269 mg% and the mean casual blood pressure was 147/90 mmHg. According to the myocardial infarction register the incidence rate of acute myocardial infraction was, during the first year of the project (1972), 13.8 per thousand among 30-64-yearold males. During the first 2 1/2 of the intervention the percentage of current smokers decreased among males from 54 to 42. The percentage of males using low-fat milk increased from 17 to 48. The percentage of males who had had their blood pressure measured during the previous half year increased from 28 to 56 and those under antihypertensive drug treatment from 3.1 to 9.1. Local groups for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction were established all over the province. On the basis of the accumulated experience and theoretical considerations, the project plan has futher been elaborated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A television format for national health promotion: Finland's "Keys to Health".

A series of televised risk reduction and health promotion programs have been broadcast in Finland since 1978. The five series of programs were the product of a cooperative effort by Finland's television channel 2 and the North Karelia Project. The series has featured a group of volunteers who are at high risk of diseases because of their unhealthful habits and two health educators who counsel the studio group and the viewers to make changes in health behaviors. The "Keys to Health 84-85" was the fifth of the series and consisted of 15 parts, 35 minutes viewing time each. Results of the evaluation surveys, which are presented briefly, indicate that viewing rates were high. Of the countrywide sample, 27 percent of men and 35 percent of women reported that they had viewed at least three parts of the series. Reported changes in behaviors were substantial among the viewers who had seen several parts of the series and were meaningful, overall, for the entire population. Of the countrywide sample, 7.1 percent of smoking viewers reported an attempt to stop smoking--this number was 3.6 percent of all smokers. The percentages of weight loss among viewers and the total population sample were 3.9 for men and 2.1 for women. The reported reductions in fat consumption were 27.2 percent for men and 15.0 percent for women. The reported effects in the demonstration area of North Karelia were even higher, mainly because of higher viewing rates.

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