Evaluation of Apnee Sehat 2008

An evaluation of the Apnee Sehat project entitled "Making a Difference", was conducted by Chris Coe at the Institute of Health, University of Warwick to elicit the views and experiences of those who have experienced aspects of the Apnee Sehat community initiative.

Key Findings:

  • There was general awareness of the importance of fundamental changes to health and lifestyles within the Sikh community.


  • The impact was sustained due to the enthusiasm of a number of 'health champions', in particular Dr Boardman and Mrs Gill, based in the Gurdwara


  • The health messages had particular impact because they were delivered by someone from their own community


  • Dietary problems were not only identified, but the community were given solutions with which to instigate change. Participants noted changes at the individual and household level.


  • The initiative was very context specific, and delivered in a culturally sensitive way


Apnee Sehat Second Evaluation, 2008 (Feb '07 - Jan '08 ):
  • Screened 544 people
    • 54.5 ± 15.9 years
    • 19.3% had raised random blood sugar (≥ 7.8)
    • 40.8% had raised systolic ≥ 140 mmHg
    • 23.2% had raised systolic > 150 mmHg
    • 45.5% had a Total Cholesterol > 5
    • Telephone survey of outcomes of subset of patients identified with raised risk factors
    • 88.2% identified had seen their GP
    • 33.3% had treatment added / increased
    • 91.2% claimed they had made lifestyle changes
Participants screened

  Total patients (n=544) Leamington (n=409) Coventry(n=135)
Age 54.5 ± 15.9 56.8 ± 14.7 49.6 ± 17.2
Weight 72.6 ± 14.1 72.5 ± 14.5 72.8 ± 13.4
BMI 28.3 ± 4.9 28.8 ± 5.3 26.9 ± 3.7
Systolic 135.4 ± 22.2 137.4 ± 22.3 130.1 ± 21.2
Diastolic 83.2 ± 12.3 83.5 ± 11.9 82.4 ± 13.2
Blood sugar 6.6 ± 3.1 6.5 ± 2.6 6.7 ± 3.7
Percent fat 35.8 ± 8.4 37.4 ± 8.2 31.6 ± 7.6
Cholesterol - 4.9 ± 1.1 -



Making a difference - quotes from local people:

I exercise more, me and mum now walk every day.


My family is happy to cut down and make changes.


I actually changed my whole way of eating.
I feel much better.


I teach my children what is good for them, what is bad for them. Try to involve the rest of the family.


I didn't realise there were so many diabetics and so many heart attacks.


Fantastic - it's a really good place to do it. Better late than never, ..,needs more support - from NHS or whoever- needs to be sustained.