Impact of Education and Text Messages on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Awareness Knowledge and Quality of Life

This study was planned to evaluate the effect of a health education program based on the health belief model and text messages on the level of knowledge, awareness and quality of life regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors in firefighters. A total of 160 firefighters, 84 in the intervention group and 76 in the control group, constituted the sample of the study.

Hypotheses of the Study H1 The mean CDRAAS posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean posttest scores of the control group.

H2 The mean CDRAAS post-test scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after the health education will be higher than the mean pre-test scores.

H3 The mean CARRIF-KL posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean posttest scores of the control group.

H4 The mean CARRIF-KL posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after the health education will be higher than the mean pretest scores.

H5 The mean EQ-5D posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean posttest scores of the control group.

H6 The mean EQ-5D posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean pretest scores.

In this study, a randomized control group pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate the effect of a health education program based on the health belief model and text messages on the level of knowledge, awareness and quality of life regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors in firefighters.

The power analysis was applied based on a 5% significance level (or 95% confidence interval), two-way, 80% power requirement. As a result of the analysis, the minimum sample size required for each group (intervention and control) in the study was calculated as 67 people. The intervention group received health education on prevention of cardiovascular disease risk factors based on the Health Belief Model consisting of 3 sessions. Following the health education, a total of 39 reminder text messages were sent via WhatsApp three or four times a week for 12 weeks to increase self-efficacy and health motivation. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and by using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Awareness Rating Scale, the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Knowledge Level Scale and the EQ-5D Quality of Life Scale. In data analysis, dependent samples t test (paired samples t test) was used for intra-group mean comparisons and independent samples t test (independent samples t test) was used for inter-group mean comparisons.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Over 18 years of age,
* No reading and comprehension problems,
* Individuals who agreed to participate in the study,
* Not having any cardiovascular disease,
* To be working in the institution where the research is carried out,
* Not having any mental illness or a disease/disabily that would prevent working ,
* Not having any structured training in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Under 18,
* Having cardiovascular disease,
* Refuses to work or wants to leave during the work,
* Individuals with reading and comprehension problems,
* To have received any training on cardiovascular disease prevention,
* Having any mental illness or disease/disability that would prevent participation in the study.