Music as a strategy to improve hypertension and stroke management: evidence from a crowdsourcing open call and designathon in Nigeria
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension, are on the rise. This increase in hypertension correlates with more strokes, significantly impacting mortality. Since hypertension often persists into adulthood, early interventions are crucial to prevent its complications. Non-invasive methods, such as music and creative activities, can effectively improve blood pressure and reduce stroke risk. This study aims to improve intergenerational awareness of hypertension and promote sustainable preventive practices by involving youth and caregivers within families and communities. METHODS: We employed a participatory, observational design, incorporating a five-month crowdsourcing open call followed by a designathon event. Participatory social and health innovations were combined and implemented as part of a larger study titled "Innovative Tool to Expand Music-Inspired Strategies for Blood Pressure and Stroke Prevention" (I-TEST BP/Stroke). Our study targeted youths aged 14 to 24, a critical period for shaping health behaviors and attitudes toward diseases. The 20 finalist textual entries were categorized into themes using the PEN-3 cultural model. The PLAN framework analyzed the effectiveness of participants' entries in conveying public health messages. RESULTS: The crowdsourced open call for musical ideas received 85 submissions between October 2023 and March 2024. More males (74.3%) than females, mainly aged 22-24, and mostly undergraduates (44.3%), participated in the open call, with 88.65% having heard of hypertension. Qualitative analysis with PEN-3 highlighted themes regarding Perceptions and Enablers, such as monitoring blood pressure, engaging in physical activity, and avoiding alcohol and smoking. The use of Pidgin English and Nigerian languages in songs represents Positive Cultural Empowerment. The Negative Cultural Empowerment domain addresses misconceptions about hypertension, including the belief that hypertension is a curse. Utilizing the PLAN framework, the submissions demonstrated an effective blend of catchy, memorable tunes with health education messages. CONCLUSION: The designathon produced various music genres, including afrobeats, rap, and R&B, with lyrics deemed feasible and socio-culturally appropriate. This suggests that music interventions tailored to Nigeria could enhance public awareness of hypertension and stroke prevention if scaled up.
Source: BMC Public Health
Authors: Chidi Okafor, Shravya Allena, Olaoluwaposi Ogunlana, Olufunto A. Olusanya, Ucheoma Nwaozuru, Ifedola Olojo, Folahanmi T. Akinsolu, Hong Xian, Chizoba Ezepue, Titilola Gbaja-Biamila, Adesola Musa, Njideka Okubadejo, Rajesh Vedanthan, Collins O. Airhihenbuwa, Olajide Williams, Olugbenga G. Ogedegbe, Temitope Ojo, Oliver Ezechi, Joseph D. Tucker, Juliet Iwelunmor
Institutions: Washington University in St. Louis, University of Ibadan, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Saint Louis University, SSM Health Care, University of Lagos, New York University, Georgia State University, Columbia University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,290
Funders: AstraZeneca UK, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Vallee Foundation, University of Florida, AstraZeneca Canada, University of Waikato, Pablove Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Laboratoire d'Excellence Inflamex, Uppsala Monitoring Centre, National Institute for Health and Care Research, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Indian Council of Medical Research, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Ministero della Salute, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, National Research Foundation of Korea, Fondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba, Yen Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals, Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan, Grifols, Berlin Institute of Health, Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, Postdoctoral Innovation Project of Shandong Province, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Health Research Council of New Zealand, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Health and Social Care Delivery Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH Office of the Director, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Hyundai Hope On Wheels, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, H2020 European Research Council, NHLBI Division of Intramural Research
OpenAlex ID: W4415788685