In keeping with the development of a national cholesterol education program for the U.S.A., that would educate the public at large, this study attempted to determine the level of awareness in selected rural areas about blood cholesterol, as a health concern. Further, the study determined the need for education of the selected adults living in rural areas, on the effect high blood cholesterol has on coronary heart disease. The demographic and external variables which influenced education availability were also examined.

The survey instrument was developed by the investigator. Construct validity was obtained through administration to a pilot group of selected faculty and students.

The participants for this study were those persons who were over the age of eighteen years, who lived in rural towns of less than 2000 people, and who resided in the states of North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. They were randomly selected from a computer mailing address list, which the researcher had purchased.

Cholesterol screening was seen as needed by the respondents when available. The awareness of cholesterol as a health concern was perceived equally by both males and females. Respondents approaching middle age were those with the greatest awareness of the link between cholesterol and heart disease. College graduates had the highest level of knowledge about cholesterol. Iowa was the state found to have the greatest availability of cholesterol programs. North Dakota had the highest perceived need for cholesterol education programs. Additional exploratory research done to determine whether a relation existed between cholesterol education and screening, indicated those respondents who had a high level of knowledge on cholesterol were aware of the availability of screenings in their area. The researcher sees the need for more education cholesterol programs in the specified geographic areas, targeted equally at both sexes. Cholesterol education programs with different foci were also found to be needed for specific age groups. It was concluded that knowledge of cholesterol and awareness of screenings could help better informed citizens adopt overall healthier life styles.