# Effect of peer-led health professional-supported intervention on cardiovascular disease risk reduction among industrial workers of Pokhara, Nepal: A quasi-experimental study

## TL;DR

A peer-led health intervention helped industrial workers in Nepal improve diet and quit tobacco, but had limited effects on blood pressure and exercise.

## Contribution

A peer-led health professional-supported intervention was tested for cardiovascular risk reduction in Nepali industrial workers.

## Key findings

- The intervention significantly increased fruit and vegetable intake and tobacco cessation.
- The intervention had a minor effect on overall cardiovascular risk scores but no impact on blood pressure or exercise.
- Longer and individualized interventions are needed for sustainable behavior change.

## Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, posing significant health risks, particularly among industrial workers. Worksite-based interventions show promise for cardiovascular health but are limited in Nepal due to resource constraints, poor monitoring, and low participation. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led health professional-supported (PLHPS) intervention in reducing CVD risk factors among industrial workers in Pokhara, Nepal.A quasi-experimental study was conducted for eight weeks involving 129 industrial workers, divided into an intervention group (IG = 67) and a control group (CG = 62). The intervention group received a PLHPS intervention, which included interactive educational session, motivational interviewing, peer facilitation and monitoring while the control group did not receive any intervention. The comparison was made through the Mann-Whitney U test between the intervention and control groups on the Fuster-BEWAT score and test was applied by looking up on the data distribution. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured using components of the Fuster-BEWAT Score (FBS). Data were collected from both groups by post-test only through the Solstice application. With medium effects, the intervention group’s participants reported considerably increased intakes of fruits and vegetables (U = 2854, p < 0.001, r = 0.382) and changes in quitting tobacco (U = 2863, p < 0.01, r = 0.384). With a minor effect (U = 2423.5, p = 0.043, r = 0.178), the intervention group’s overall FBS differed significantly from that of control group. However, no significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of blood pressure, exercise, and weight (p’s > 0.05).The eight-week intervention for industrial workers is effective in initiating dietary and tobacco cessation behaviors but needs further reconfirmation after six months. Longer intervention periods and individualized intervention are needed for long-term effects and sustainable behavior change.