Impact of the Use of Street Play Mode of Education on the Self-care Capacity of Village Women for Lifestyle Modification for Prevention of Hypertension

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) To ascertain the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) among village women. (2) To determine the impact of an intervention strategy of Behavior Change Communication utilizing a camp approach supplemented with nukkad natak on the self-care capacity of village women for lifestyle modification for prevention of HTN. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted during June–July 2023 in the field practice area of Community Medicine of a medical college. Sample size was arbitrary (n = 200) out of all willing women attending outpatient departments during the study period. First, a baseline assessment of the study population was done. Street plays were held for the study population on HTN-related healthy lifestyle. Changes in their knowledge were documented. Appropriate statistical analysis was done using Excel sheets. Results: Most (79%) of the women in the village had normal blood pressure, with 19% of them having mild and 2% had moderate HTN. Most hypertensive women (72%) were not taking medications. Out of 12 hypertensive women who were taking antihypertensive medications, half of them were regular. There was a significant improvement in the score of self-care capacity, treatment HTN diet-related knowledge of the women after the intervention. Respondents liked the idea of organizing drama to propagate health-related messages. Conclusion: One in every five persons in the study population of rural health training centre (RHTC) had HTN. Most hypertensive women (72%) were not taking medications. Those who were taking antihypertensive medications, only half were regular in it. After Nukkad Natak based intervention, there was a significant improvement in the scores of HTN diet and treatment-related knowledge and self-care capacity of the respondents for prevention of HTN. Our respondents liked the idea of organizing drama to propagate health-related messages.