Primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases embedded in the visiting nurse services: description of the intervention model.

The paper describes a visiting nurse led intervention model for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and specificities of its application. Although CVD burden is high in Croatia, the visiting nurse services have not been specifically focused on CVD prevention in the population until now. The intervention model described here is being implemented alongside the second cycle of the Croatian Adult Health Survey (2008 CAHS). The model includes an objective evaluation of respondents' CVD risk factors through quantitative and qualitative analyses, as well as respondents' self-evaluation of risk factors and motivation to change. At the same time, respondents are educated and intervention is evaluated. A 'health booklet' was specifically designed for documentation during one year's follow-up, where both the user and the visiting nurse keep copies of the negotiated targets and strategies set to achieve them. This intervention model has the potential to mobilize the service towards permanent incorporation of primary and secondary CVD prevention into routine care and, due to work specificities of the visiting nurse services, to cover the entire population in an organized CVD prevention.