Church-Sponsored Promotornan di Salú/Community Health Worker-Led Health Fair Promoting Hypertension Awareness in Willemstad, Curaçao: A Pilot Study Assessing Participant Satisfaction and Experience
2025
Kenneth E. Christopher | Jenna R. Krall | Tiffany Arvizu | Alice Juliet | Sinead Mathilda-Fraaij | Elisette Rooi-Cannister | Lona D. Bryan
High blood pressure, or hypertension, remains a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, contributing significantly to global morbidity and mortality, particularly in Caribbean island nations like Curaç:ao. This pilot study assessed the impact of a health fair led by Community Health Workers (CHWs) or Promotornan di Salú: and organized in collaboration with local faith-based organizations to increase hypertension awareness and promote preventive behaviors. The study utilized a cross-sectional design, and data were gathered from attendees at a health fair held on 29 June 2024, at the Iglesia House of Worship in Willemstad, Curaç:ao. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographics, event satisfaction, health behavior intentions, and qualitative feedback data from participants aged 12 years and older. Of the 145 participants, 78.6% rated the event as excellent, 83.4% expressed plans to change their health behaviors, 80.6% intended to share information with family and friends, and 59.7% intended to follow up with a general practitioner (GP)/doctor. These findings highlight the effectiveness of culturally tailored, community-based initiatives to raise hypertension awareness, improve health literacy, and promote preventive health behaviors. The success of this intervention emphasizes the potential of CHW-led health fairs as valuable public health strategies and practical training opportunities for reducing the burden of chronic conditions like hypertension.
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