Outcomes of a Culturally Adapted School-Based Health Education Intervention to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: A Quasi-Experimental Trial
1
Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2
Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
3
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries[1]. Among young people in Nigeria, studies report limited awareness of CVD and poor adoption of preventive measures[2]. We evaluated the effectiveness of a culturally adapted, school-based CVD health education programme.
METHODS:
A quasi-experimental trial was conducted from February to April 2025, involving 225 students from two public senior secondary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria. The intervention group received a 40-minute, single-session, classroom-based educational module on CVD risk factors and prevention, delivered in both Yoruba and English. The control group was waitlisted to receive the intervention at the end of the study. Knowledge was assessed using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRIF-KL) Scale at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and two weeks post-intervention. Data was analyzed using a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) and Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-ANOVA).
RESULTS:
The mean total knowledge score in the intervention group increased more than twofold, from 10.35 at baseline to 23.94 immediately post-intervention. This improvement was statistically significant compared to the control group, adjusting for covariates (GLMM estimate = −0.839, p < 0.0001). Knowledge gains were sustained at follow-up (mean = 21.91; GLMM estimate = −0.72, p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS:
This culturally adapted, school-based health education intervention significantly improved adolescents’ knowledge of CVD risk factors and preventive behaviors. Integration into national CVD prevention strategies could enhance public health outcomes among Nigerian youth.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries[1]. Among young people in Nigeria, studies report limited awareness of CVD and poor adoption of preventive measures[2]. We evaluated the effectiveness of a culturally adapted, school-based CVD health education programme.
METHODS:
A quasi-experimental trial was conducted from February to April 2025, involving 225 students from two public senior secondary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria. The intervention group received a 40-minute, single-session, classroom-based educational module on CVD risk factors and prevention, delivered in both Yoruba and English. The control group was waitlisted to receive the intervention at the end of the study. Knowledge was assessed using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRIF-KL) Scale at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and two weeks post-intervention. Data was analyzed using a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) and Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-ANOVA).
RESULTS:
The mean total knowledge score in the intervention group increased more than twofold, from 10.35 at baseline to 23.94 immediately post-intervention. This improvement was statistically significant compared to the control group, adjusting for covariates (GLMM estimate = −0.839, p < 0.0001). Knowledge gains were sustained at follow-up (mean = 21.91; GLMM estimate = −0.72, p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS:
This culturally adapted, school-based health education intervention significantly improved adolescents’ knowledge of CVD risk factors and preventive behaviors. Integration into national CVD prevention strategies could enhance public health outcomes among Nigerian youth.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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