Challenges in conducting CST CVH Study for Covid 19 pandemic

For our CST CVH Study (Calcutta School Teachers' Cardiovascular Health Awareness) our goal was to recruit 6,000 teachers from 400 schools to assess their awareness about CVD and its risk factors, as well as their individual risk of heart attack or stroke or death in the next 10 years.

However, current pandemic of Covid 19 has imposed tremendous problem in conducting the study. Schools remain closed, public life is at a standstill and people are in panic for their lives and livelihoods. We have our volunteers and study team members facing immense difficulties in this situation. We have also lost a valuable team member to the pandemic.

Despite all the difficulties we could recruit 4,000 teachers out of a target of 6,000, and our team is waiting on the wings to resume the study when situation improves. Healthy Heart Initiative would like to thank all study participants for their support and recognize the incredible dedication and hard work of the volunteers for the project.