Bulletin of the World Health Organization (Sep 2011)

Cardiovascular disease prevention in Ghana: feasibility of a faith-based organizational approach

  • Patricia Karen A Abanilla,
  • Keng-Yen Huang,
  • Daniel Shinners,
  • Andrea Levy,
  • Kojo Ayernor,
  • Ama de-Graft Aikins,
  • Olugbenga Ogedegbe

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 89, no. 9
pp. 648 – 656

Abstract

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OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of using community health workers (CHWs) to implement cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programmes within faith-based organizations in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: Faith-based organization capacity, human resources, health programme sustainability/barriers and community members' knowledge were evaluated. Data on these aspects were gathered through a mixed method design consisting of in-depth interviews and focus groups with 25 church leaders and health committee members from five churches, and of a survey of 167 adult congregants from two churches. FINDINGS: The delivery of a CVD prevention programme in faith-based organizations by CHWs is feasible. Many faith-based organizations already provide health programmes for congregants and involve non-health professionals in their health-care activities, and most congregants have a basic knowledge of CVD.Yet despite the feasibility of the proposed approach to CVD prevention through faith-based organizations, sociocultural and health-care barriers such as poverty, limited human and economic resources and limited access to health care could hinder programme implementation. CONCLUSION: The barriers to implementation identified in this study need to be considered when defining CVD prevention programme policy and planning.