From a questionnaire designed by Dr. L.A. Olatunji, we discovered that most people (children, youths and adults) in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria do not know their body weight, blood pressure and  blood sugar level. Therefore, the program ‘Promoting Heart Health’ was launched in September, 2008 to help members of the society

 

·         Know the importance/relevance of their heart

·         Inform them on how to take care of it

·         Prevent cardiovascular diseases

 

As part of the program, we organised lectures in primary, secondary and tertiary institution in Ilorin, Kwara state. We used drama, pictures and power-point presentations  to pass our message across during the lectures.

In the primary schools, the students and teachers were addressed on the topic ‘Your Heart, Your Life’ which explained the importance/relevance of their heart and how they can take care of it. After the lecture, we checked and documented the blood pressure and body weight of 300 students.

In the secondary schools, a lecture tagged ‘Your Heart, Your Life’ was delivered to students and their teachers. About 2500 students were reached.

In tertiary institution, specifically University of Ilorin, Nigeria, students were taught how to take care of their heart and they were made to know the relevance of their heart. A walk was organized to promote the relevance of physical activity among students.

About 400 students were reached.

 

Since inception of the program, we have been able to address issues that bordered around hypertension and obesity by making the beneficiaries understand the definition, causes, dangers associated with it and also prevention.

The program has reached about 3000 students have been reached. As part of the program, teachers in the primary schools now organize regular early morning exercise for themselves and their students. The Secondary school principals have also set-up clubs to promote heart health among their students and teachers.

In the University of Ilorin, students have also organized a focus group that promote heart health by organizing a walk, football match, basket-ball event and lectures.

Due to appreciation and recommendations from school principals this program was extended to professionals especially bankers; we have organized a lecture titled ‘Your Heart, Your Life’ and check-up of B.M.I and blood sugar level for about 100 bankers. Most of the bankers that participated in our program now engage in regular exercise. We also send mobile messages to bankers on information regarding their heart health. HACEY supports the program by providing and training volunteers that serve as educators and demonstrators during the program.

Through the online group of HACEY we now reach over 500 people informing them on how to promote their heart health.