The Finnmark Intervention Study: is it possible to change CVD risk factors by community-based intervention in an Arctic village in crisis?

Abstract

Aims: Owing to high cardiovascular mortality, the Norwegian Government introduced the programme "Health and Inequalities in Finnmark" in 1988. One of the projects in this programme was aimed at changing cardiovascular risk factors through community-based intervention in a fishing community in the Norwegian Arctic.

Methods: The intervention community Båtsfjord and the three control communities were selected from the same coastal area. The intervention was based on a quasi-experimental design, and evaluated by population surveys before (1987) and after (1993) the invention. The attending cohort was analysed. The intervention method was based on empowerment and cooperation between different organizations, and the primary healthcare system.

Results: From 1987 - 93, the male cohort in Båtsfjord had a more favourable development when compared with changes in the control communities regarding the 8.6% increase in physical activity (p = 0.047), the reduction in systolic blood pressure by 0.01 mmHg (p = 0.002), and the reduction in diastolic blood pressure by 2.1 mmHg (p < 0.001). The female cohort in Båtsfjord had a more favourable development when compared with changes in the control communities regarding the 11.2% increase in use of low-fat milk (p = 0.046), the increase in systolic blood pressure by 2.1 mmHg (p = 0.024), and the reduction in diastolic blood pressure by 2.1 mmHg (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Despite a difficult economic situation for the Arctic coastal communities, the study found it possible for voluntary organizations, local public administration, and local health personnel to promote change in lifestyle and blood pressure using a community intervention approach.