Elaine Gail Jones, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, 1305 N. Martin, Room 411, Tucson, AZ 85721-0203, (520) 626-5543, ejones@nursing.arizona.edu

Deaf Heart Health Intervention: Baseline Data

Introduction: The Deaf Heart Health Intervention (DHHI) targets modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among Deaf adults. The DHHI is an 8-week classroom intervention taught entirely in sign by a trained, Deaf lay heart-health teacher. The DHHI is being pilot tested using a quasi-experimental study design with data collection at three points: pre-test, post-test and at 12 weeks post-intervention.

Sample: The sample to-date consists of 61 Deaf adults (38 women, 23 men). The mean age is 48 years (range 18-83 years) with mean of 12 years (range 4-18 years) of education. The majority (77%) identify themselves as white, with representation of Hispanic (13%), African-American (3%) and Asian (2%) and Native American (2%).

Measures: Questionnaires related to nutrition, exercise, smoking self-efficacy, stress, and self-efficacyfor health behaviors were translated into sign-language (on videotape)and field tested prior to use in the DHHI pilot study.

Results/Baseline Data: Preliminary data will be reported for three measures in this abstract. The mean score for Nutrition/section B (Sources of nutrients) was 35 (sd=9.6, range 0-54) and the mean score for Nutrition/section C (Choosing everyday food) was 5.0 (sd=2.0,range 0-9); The mean score for Perceived Stress Scale was 18 (sd=4.7, range 6-28); The mean score for Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices was 78 (sd= 16.8, range 38-107). Data analysis is underway for the 3-day eating diaries and the PAR, and smoking data. Scores were lower than comparison groups for all measures, except stress.

Learning Objectives: After attending the presentation, the learner will be able to