An Experimental Evaluation of an Incentive Program to Reduce Serum Cholesterol Levels Among Health Fair Participants
Vincent T. Francisco, MA;
Adrienne L. Paine, PhD;
Stephen B. Fawcett, PhD;
Judy Johnston, RD;
David Banks, MS
Arch Fam Med. 1994;3(3):246-251.
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the impact of a health fair and incentive program on the reduction of serum cholesterol levels among participants.
Design
Pretest-posttest control group design, with a 6-month delay between pretest and posttest screenings.
Setting
Health fair program for employees of a large midwestern school district.
Participants
Volunteer sample among persons with serum cholesterol levels above 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL). Participants were randomly assigned to experimental (N=29) and comparison groups (N=34).
Intervention
The intervention consisted of four components: a health fair, health risk information, announcement of follow-up screening, and an incentive program. The incentive program consisted of five $100 cash prizes for reducing serum cholesterol levels by 20% or below 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL). The comparison group received only the first three components.
Main Outcome Measure
Serum cholesterol levels were measured by a venipuncture, nonfasting, chemical analysis process.
Results
The experimental group showed a 13.2% reduction in serum cholesterol levels, and the comparison group exhibited an 11.3% reduction (P<.05).
Conclusions
A health fair, consisting of information on the level of risk and how to reduce risk, and announcement of follow-up screening and incentives can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Human Development, University of Kansas, Lawrence (Mr Francisco and Drs Paine and Fawcett), and the Kansas Low-fat Eating for America Now Coalition (Ms Johnston) and the Office of Employee Wellness, Unified School District 259 (Mr Banks), Witchita.
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