The Dutch Heart Health Community Intervention 'Hartslag Limburg': design and results of a process study

Abstract

In 1998, a regional cardiovascular diseases prevention program was started in The Netherlands. This paper presents the design and results of a process study on the community intervention. The main purpose of the study was to gain insight into the reasons why expected effects were or were not achieved. Data was collected using multiple data sources and/or methods to measure indicators of intervention implementation. The results indicate that the community analysis and the subsequent organization of nine local Health Committees had been satisfactory. However, some factors that might influence the actual functioning of the Health Committees could be improved. Furthermore, the expert training for the members of these Committees had not yet been carried out as planned and there were doubts about the added value of collaboration with experts thus far. Environmental strategies were felt to need more attention and ensuring long-term continuation requires continuous effort. Most of the 293 intervention activities had focused on nutrition, while smoking cessation activities had been given lowest priority. It is concluded that the process evaluation has provided information about successful and less successful elements of the community intervention.