Cholesterol screening: Observed cholesterol reduction in a prospective study in Norway

The general public of the City of Bergen, Norway was Invited to participate in a cholesterol screening programme in October 1988. Participants received the results of the cholesterol screening and nutritional information from trained health personnel. A short questionnaire was mailed to all 354 participants 1-2 weeks after the initial cholesterol screening. In March 1990, all participants were invited to have their cholesterol levels re-examined. Psychosocial factors believed to be predictive of future serum cholesterol changes were assessed at baseline along with demographic variables. The majority of participants (61%) reduced their cholesterol level from October 1988 to March 1990, and the average reduction in cholesterol level for the total population was 4.0%. Baseline cholesterol levels, being confident of one's own ability to change one's diet (self-efficacy), seeing heart disease risk reduction as very important, and marital status were factors that significantly predicted successful cholesterol reduction 18 months later.