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We have made significant progress in our Health initiatives:
They checked for active Stripes the highest level was 331
Dr. Samual Chukwunyere provided some diabetes testing resources for measuring Glucose. However, that was only for his village in Ishi-Owerri. Among what he provided were:
They checked for active Stripes the women’s reading was just 90
1. For the first time in its history, Owerre Nkworji has a health database of its people from all 13 villages!
2. Amazing and the beginning of a health information system.
3. Those with High Blood Pressure (HBP) were referred to the Hospital or to the Medical Center.
4. BP Measurements were collected for all who attended.
5. (100% success rate with that effort – so many thanks to the field workers).
6. A total of 522 villagers were screened!!!
1. Besides some client profile data such as age, gender, and disease, related morbidity data collected was blood pressure.
2. (There was only one exception – in Umu Eke – where the physician provided tools and gadgets such as Acuk Glucometer, Lancets, Alcohol Pads, Dry Cotton Wool, and 83 Stripes to measure blood sugar). No data was collected for Cancer, Diabetes, and Malaria because of lack of resources.
3. The workers simply referred those with High BPs to either the Nurse or to the Physician.
4. No Triage set up.
5. Communication/Education – differential meanings for common usage words such as BP.
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There is now a need to emphasize the importance of Phase I, which addresses sensitization. There is a need to include the emergency room at the nearby hospital and to create an emergency room at the health center. The database would be refined to include the increased data points (e.g., height, weight, etc.) that are needed to embellish the profile of a family history of high blood pressure, hypertension, and stroke. Finally, there is a need to develop the triage for preventive care and to develop the triage for emergency care.
To effectively triage preventive care and emergencies related to blood pressure in the Owerre Nkworji Rural Public Health Project (ORPHP), managers can implement a comprehensive approach combining proactive screening, education, and timely intervention. Suggested Framework Follows.
By implementing this comprehensive triage system, ORPHP managers can effectively address both preventive and emergency aspects of hypertension management, ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in the Owerre Nkworji community.
The overwhelming response from the Owerre Nkworji villagers to the Health Workers- BP data collection project despite the absence of incentives and pre-established triage protocols is indeed intriguing. Several factors likely contributed to this phenomenon, including:
Hawthorne Effect: The Hawthorne Effect, a well-known social science concept, suggests that individuals may modify their behavior when they are aware of being observed. In this case, the presence of Health Workers (all uniformed) actively collecting health data may have triggered a heightened awareness of health concerns among the villagers, prompting them to participate. The novelty of the project and the attention it brought to their health might have also played a role.
Accessibility and Convenience: By bringing BP data collection to village halls, the project significantly reduced barriers to access. Villagers no longer had to bear the logistical and financial burden of traveling to distant health facilities. This convenience likely contributed to the high turnout.
Trust and Rapport: The Health Workers, being members of the community, likely fostered a sense of trust and rapport with the villagers. This trusting relationship may have encouraged participation and made individuals feel more comfortable sharing their health information.
Community Engagement: The project likely involved some level of community engagement and mobilization. This could have generated excitement and a sense of collective responsibility for health improvement within the community, leading to increased participation.
Word-of-Mouth Referrals: The informal referral system for individuals with high blood pressure, while not ideal, demonstrates the power of social networks in rural communities. The fact that villagers were willing to share information and encourage others to seek care underscores the community’s commitment to health improvement.
Edification (Education and Awareness): Even without a formal educational component, the act of collecting BP data and providing basic information on high blood pressure likely raised awareness and understanding of this health issue among the villagers. This could have been a powerful motivator for seeking care, even in the absence of formal triage.
In conclusion, the success of the initial phase of the Owerre Nkworji Rural Public Health Project can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the Hawthorne effect, increased accessibility, trust in Health workers, community engagement, word-of-mouth referrals, and informal education. These findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive and community-based approaches to healthcare delivery in rural settings. By understanding and leveraging these factors, the project can continue to build on its initial success and make a lasting impact on the health of the community.
Thank you for helping spread awareness and educating others about selected morbidity Diseases!
Hypertensive Crisis Protocol (HCP) : Clear HCP To Manage (BP ≥ 180/120 mmHg): Include Immediate Referral to Doctor/Nurse Practitioner; Transportation if Needed; And Basic First Aid Measures.
HEALTH COORDINATOR (HC) & Data Manager (DM) TRAINING: Ensure HC & DM are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of hypertensive crisis and know how to implement the emergency protocol.
Communication: Establish clear communication channels between HCs/DMs, the doctor/s, and the nurse/nurse practitioner to facilitate rapid referral and coordination of care for patients with urgent needs.
Community Awareness: Educate the community on the signs and symptoms of hypertensive crisis and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention in such situations.
Community Outreach: The goal of community outreach is to raise awareness of the project, educate the community on relevant health issues, and encourage participation.
Support Groups: Support groups can provide a safe space for individuals facing similar health challenges to connect, share experiences, receive emotional support, and learn coping strategies.
Regular Community Screenings: Establish a schedule for regular blood pressure screenings in all 13 villages, conducted by Health Coordinators. This will help identify individuals with elevated or high blood pressure at an early stage.
Risk Assessment: During screenings, collect additional information on risk factors such as age, family history, lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, smoking), and underlying health conditions. This will help identify individuals who may be at higher risk for developing hypertension.
Targeted Education: Develop and implement targeted educational programs on hypertension prevention and management. Tailor these programs to the specific needs and cultural context of the Owerre Nkworji community.
Lifestyle Counseling: Provide personalized counseling to individuals with elevated blood pressure or those at high risk. This should include guidance on healthy eating, physical activity, stress management, and medication adherence (if applicable).
Continuous Monitoring: Encourage individuals with elevated or high blood pressure to monitor their BP regularly at home or through follow-up visits with CHWs. This will help track progress and identify any worsening of their condition.
Community Outreach: The goal of community outreach is to raise awareness of the project, educate the community on relevant health issues, and encourage participation.
Support Groups: Support groups can provide a safe space for individuals facing similar health challenges to connect, share experiences, receive emotional support, and learn coping strategies.
On November 11, 2024 the coordinators commenced the second phase visitation at the Ishiowerri village.
The turnout was impressive. People came out in their numbers to partake with The Garden of HOPE Foundation.
We had more people with High blood pressure than Diabetes. The Doctor (Dr. Odoh) and the nurse conducted a thorough check on the persons and drugs were administered to those with the ailments. The Doctor went ahead to advise them on the need for routine checks on HBP and Sugar levels. He also advised them to always visit the Health Center anytime they felt there is a change in their body system and to equally pay more attention to their health. The visitation was hitch-free.
Thanks.
Ohaeto Chioma
The coordinators of “ The Garden of HOPE Foundation”, Owerre Nkwoji visited Uhusieke village on November 15, 2024.
The villagers turned out greatly. Prayers were said by one of the sons of Uhusieke. Our amiable Doctor (Dr. Emmanuel Odo) gave an extensive lecture on High Blood Pressure and Diabetes which every one of us benefited from, including the villagers.They asked different questions to follow up with the lecture. All the questions were responded to by the Doctor. The doctor and some coordinators went ahead to examine the villagers regarding the levels of their blood pressure and blood sugar. Only the doctor supervised these thoroughly. The doctor also took control of the sugar levels to make sure the results were accurate. After the examination, the doctor dispensed drugs to those who needed it. He went ahead and advised them to always visit the Health Center if there is a need. All the kits for the screenings were provided by the Doctor. He spent the sum of money
of Naira 75K that was made available for him. We never lacked any kit.
The outreach was successful and hitch-free to the Glory of God.
Thanks
Ohaeto Chioma
The Garden of HOPE Foundation, Owerre Nkwoji coordinators visited Oforie village on November 19, 2024. The turnout was massive. An illustrious son of Oforie, who is also a HOPE Foundation Board of Trustees member, was in attendance. He spoke at length, encouraging his people not to take the outreach for granted. After so many lectures by the Doctor and nurse, they went ahead to check the BP and Sugar levels of the villagers, and drugs were dispensed as needed. All hands were on deck. The coordinators participated so much. We recorded the highest number of people with High blood pressure in Oforie village, but they were advised heavily to always seek medical attention especially now that we have a resident doctor in Owerre Nkwoji Health Center and it is within Oforie village’s reach.
Thanks
Ohaeto Chioma
The three villages above were visited by the coordinators and medical/health personnel of The Garden of HOPE Foundation Owerre Nkwoji on November 19, 2024, and it was a huge success.
The medical/health personnel took their time to teach the villagers what we know as High blood pressure and Diabetes, the signs, and the need to abide by the rules of regular intake of their medications to avoid complications. They were advised to follow up on their check-ups especially now that we have a Doctor at the health center. Drugs were dispensed to the villagers after examinations were conducted by the medical/health personnel and the coordinators.
The sum of one hundred and forty thousand Naira(140k) was given to our Doctor to buy more drugs to ensure drugs are available so that every other village will benefit.
We say a big thank you to our Prof, the foundation of the project for making sure we have a hitch-free visitation. The sum of Naira 10k was equally given to the coordinators and medical personnel for our refreshments on Friday last week, we say a big thank you too. I will not hesitate to say so far so good, Owerrenkwoji people are so happy with the project. Other villages are eagerly waiting for The Garden of HOPE Foundation members in the United States to pay them a visit. So, to say it is now the talk of the town.
Thank God it was a huge success.
Ohaeto Chioma
On November 21, 2024, the coordinators and the medical/health personnel visited the villages mentioned above and we recorded a huge success.
The medical practitioner took the time to teach the essence of paying attention to HBP and Diabetes.
The villagers were happy to see us again in their mist. They expressed their joy in seeing us coming to administer drugs to them. One person from each village above gave their vote of thanks to the initiator of the project and their team. They were so overwhelmed with the project. The pictures and videos below can attest to what transpired.
We will keep on praising God for a job well done.
Glory be to Almighty God
Thanks
Ohaeto Chioma
The coordinators and the entire medical practitioners visited the above villages on November 25, 2024, and we recorded a larger turnout than the previous outreach. The medical practitioner Dr. Emmanuel Odoh went ahead in educating them on High blood Pressure and Diabetes. He elaborated on the topics to the understanding of everyone at the venue. The villagers were already conversant with the topics. They answered the questions by the Doctor very well which amazed us. We give Kudos to Umoke and Ezeoha. One person from each village was given a chance for the vote of thanks which the video below will illustrate. The coordinators and the medical team went ahead to examine the villagers one after the other. During the course of the examination, we discovered as well that Umoke and Ezeoha recorded the highest number of HBP and high sugar levels, one woman’s Sugar level was recorded above normal which was the highest record so far in all our
visitation. At that point, the doctor and the nurse advised them on the need for regular checkups to avoid unforeseen circumstances.
Thanks
Ohaeto Chioma
We’re thrilled to share the exciting conclusion of Phase II of our community health initiative in Owerre Nkworji! Even with limited resources, we achieved significant milestones:
Building on this momentum, we’re committed to expanding our impact and ensuring the long-term health of the Owerre Nkworji community. Here’s what we have planned:
To make these vital phases a reality, we’re seeking funding to:
Your generous contribution will directly impact the lives of individuals and families in Owerre Nkworji. Together, we can build a healthier future for this community.