Promotion of healthy behaviour among adults at increased risk of coronary heart disease in general practice: methodology and baseline data from the Change of Heart study

Abstract

Previous attempts to influence individuals' behaviour in order to lessen cardiovas cular risk have met with limited success. We report on the way in which the Stages of Change model was used by trained practice nurses in a randomised controlled trial. Patients with one or more modifiable risk factors (regular smoking, high choles terol, or the combination of high body mass index and low physical activity) were recruited during routine care at 20 group general practices in inner city to rural areas over 18 months. Baseline measurements on 883 people show that the control and intervention groups were reasonably matched, with one, two and three risk factors found among approximately 43, 48 and 9 per cent, respectively. Some differences between groups in readiness to modify behaviour as assessed by stage of change were observed. This trial will evaluate systematically the impact of brief behav ioural counselling in general practice.