Pop-up screening nested within routine community activities unmasks an addressed cardiovascular risk: A pilot study (Gippsland Healthy Heart Study)

Objective: To evaluate the benefits of a pop-up health screening for cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in the Gippsland region, and to assess the acceptability of the screening and to determine whether such a process results in attendance at a general practitioner (GP).

Participants: Overall, 454 participants over the age of 18 who were residents of the Gippsland region were enrolled.

Methods: This is a community-based, observational, prospective cohort study using pop-up screening sites at six retail locations or workplaces, where participants' blood pressure, body weight and lipid profile were measured. The primary outcome was to assess the proportion of participants with at least one unaddressed CVRF (hypertension [blood pressure >140/90 mmHg], overweight and obesity [body mass index >25 kg/m² ] or hypercholesterolaemia [low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >2.5 mmol/L]). Email surveys were performed after 4 weeks of follow-up.

Results: Overall, 85.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82.1%-88.8%) of participants had at least one unaddressed CVRF. Among the 54 participants who responded to the email survey, 50 participants (92.6% [95% CI, 81.3%-97.6%]) found the screening approach acceptable, and 31 (57.4% [95% CI, 43.3%-70.5%]) considered a discussion with the GP.

Conclusions: This study supported the feasibility and effectiveness of pop-up screening to detect CVRF in rural communities.