Two studies showed statistically significant positive changes in behaviours related to cardiovascular disease risk for Hispanics in the CHW arm . One study showed that the probability of achieving a high degree of improvement in eating habits relative to no change was
greater for women in the CHW intervention arm than for women in the usual care arm (p < 0.001)
[19]. Regarding physical activity, the probability of achieving a high degree of improvement in physical activity was also greater in the CHW intervention arm (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found for smoking. The ER for this study was 0.43.
The second study reported statistically significant changes in salt intake (p < 0.001), cholesterol and fat intake (p = 0.01), weight control practices (p = 0.01),
perceived benefits (p = 0.01), and perceived susceptibility (p = 0.01) in favour of the CHW intervention compared with the intervention based on providing basic educational
materials [23]. No significant differences were recorded for perceived severity and self-efficacy. We found an ER of 0.71 for this study. A third study focussed on physical activity within a Hispanic population [18]. Significant positive changes in the readiness to engage in vigorous physical activity and take up new physical activity were reported in the CHW
arm compared to the usual care arm. Significant changes in moderate as well as vigorous physical activity were found, favouring the CHW intervention arm. No significant differences were reported for other physical behaviours (performing daily activities more briskly
and incorporating physical activity into daily activity). The ER for this study was 0.67.
In a study on reducing diabetes risk factors among African Americans, none of the behaviours (dietary risk score, leisure-time physical activity, or BMI) showed significant differences . Therefore, the ER was 0.00. The mean ER for the outcome category “health behaviour”
was 0.45.