Learning Objective #1: identify cardiovascular risk factors prevalent in a Russian population.

Learning Objective #2: discuss the benefits of service-learning student experiences in the global community.

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A service-learning student experience was developed to provide students with a global research experience that included collaboration with Russian physicians and nurses. Nursing students were educated in Russian culture and health care. In Russia, they assisted in conducting a descriptive research study to explore the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors of obesity, hypertension, low HDL, and elevated LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol, and glucose in rural Russia. Russia experiences death rates from cardiovascular heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes twice the rates in many western countries in Europe and the Americas. Examining risk factors in a population with minimal access to preventive risk factor screenings could translate to more accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Data was collected at a rural clinic in Russia serving 12,000 residents. Adults 18 years and older were solicited to participate using flyers posted in the community and clinic, as well as invitations from clinic staff. A convenience sample of 186 participants was recruited. Participants completed a Demographic Survey that had been translated into Russian and back translated into English for conceptual congruence. Senior nursing students collected cardiovascular risk data and conducted health education sessions. Nurse practitioner students conducted physical assessments and individualized health teaching. The age range of the sample was 19-85. Eighty-two percent of participants were classified as either overweight, or obese. The majority had systolic BP above 140 and about half had diastolics above 90. Fifty-five percent had elevated LDL’s and a small proportion had HDL’s below 40. Sixty-seven percent had elevated cholesterol, and 53% had elevated glucose levels. In summary, cardiovascular risk factors were found to be highly prevalent in this rural Russian community. Findings were translated into practice through collaboration with Russian clinic doctors and nurses regarding diagnostic information for treatment decisions and nursing student’ health education sessions for specific health risks.