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Dozier AM, Block R, Levy D, et al. Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World: Community Perceptions from Carriacou, Grenada. CVD Prev Control. 2008;3(3):123-131doi: 10.1016/j.cvdpc.2008.05.001.
Dozier, A. M., Block, R., Levy, D., Dye, T. D., & Pearson, T. A. (2008). Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World: Community Perceptions from Carriacou, Grenada. CVD prevention and control, 3(3), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvdpc.2008.05.001
Dozier, Ann M, et al. "Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World: Community Perceptions from Carriacou, Grenada." CVD prevention and control vol. 3,3 (2008): 123-131. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvdpc.2008.05.001
Dozier AM, Block R, Levy D, Dye TD, Pearson TA. Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World: Community Perceptions from Carriacou, Grenada. CVD Prev Control. 2008 Sep 01;3(3):123-131. doi: 10.1016/j.cvdpc.2008.05.001. PMID: 19730702; PMCID: PMC2707836.
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CVD Prev Control. 2008 Sep 01;3(3):123-131. doi: 10.1016/j.cvdpc.2008.05.001.

Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World: Community Perceptions from Carriacou, Grenada.

CVD prevention and control

Ann M Dozier, Robert Block, Deborah Levy, Timothy D Dye, Thomas A Pearson

Affiliations

  1. Department of Community and Preventive Medicine Box 278969 University of Rochester Rochester, New York 14627 Ph: 585.758-7812 Fx: 585-424-1469.

PMID: 19730702 PMCID: PMC2707836 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvdpc.2008.05.001

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As developing countries shift to increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases (CVD), prevention efforts, both primary and secondary, become a public health priority. Designing effective methods requires a clear understanding of local beliefs and practices regarding health risks and behaviors. METHODS: A mixed gender and age team deployed a Rapid Assessment Protocol (participant observation; interviews) over three days. Interviews from 25 residents of Carriacou, Grenada included leaders and community members representing a range of demographic characteristics (gender, age, employment). RESULTS: Residents expressed general uncertainty about their actual health. While acknowledging that certain conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension) were prevalent, heredity was viewed as being more strongly associated with CVD. Not being able to work or carry out one's daily activities often drove health care seeking behavior (evaluation, care or initiating lifestyle changes). Health improvement activities when practiced were fragmented, not an overall lifestyle change. Physical activity was implicitly valued but not universally practiced; it declined with age and increasing work and other commitments. CONCLUSIONS: While public health programs benefit from understanding community attitudes and beliefs, research to inform program development is often not undertaken or if undertaken not effectively utilized to make needed program modifications. Key to our conclusions was their perspective on health as illness oriented and reactive, strongly associated with heredity rather than preventive and associated with behavior change. A preventive focus informed by local practices is fundamental to designing effective and sustainable primary and secondary prevention programs and particularly useful in developing countries.

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