Feasibility of a Youth-led NCD Risk Reduction Initiative in Selected Schools of Slums in Karachi, Pakistan: a Mixed-methods, pre-and Post-intervention Study

Launched by AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY · Jun 13, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to find out how effective a youth-led program can be in reducing the risk of serious health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and lung diseases, among students in slum areas of Karachi, Pakistan. The study will take place in ten schools and will be divided into five phases. First, students in classes 5 and 6 will keep diaries to identify healthy and unhealthy habits. Next, older students in classes 9 and 10, along with their parents and school staff, will share their thoughts on how to improve health in their schools. After that, there will be a workshop to create the intervention together. Youth participants will then receive training to help them teach their younger peers about healthy habits. Finally, the study will check how well the program works by comparing the health practices of students before and after the intervention.

To participate, students in classes 9 and 10 (ages 14 to 16) and their younger peers in classes 5 and 6 (ages 9 to 12) must attend schools that are willing to take part in the study and allow interviews. Parents and school staff also need to agree to participate. It's important to note that schools involved in similar health programs recently or students with serious medical conditions that limit their participation cannot take part in this trial. Overall, this study aims to empower youth to lead health initiatives and promote better health practices in their communities.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Both government and private schools
• • 2. Schools that have classes 1 to 10 in one boundary
• • 3. Schools who agree to take part in the qualitative interviews
• • 4. Schools that permit to engage youth, their parents, and younger peers in the study for ten months
• • 5. For youth: Students of classes 9 and 10 (aged 14 to 16 years)
• • 6. For younger peers: Students of classes 5 and 6 (9 to 12 years)
• • 7. Students who provide written informed assent followed by parental consent
• • 8. Parents of youth and other stakeholders, including head teachers, schoolteachers, and canteen staff who provide written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Schools currently enrolled in any NCD-related intervention program or any similar program during the last six months
• • 2. For youth: Having any severe or chronic medical condition or disability that restricts active participation of students in the intervention co-creation and delivery