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Observational Study
. 2025 Nov 3;25(1):3736.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-24193-y.

Music as a strategy to improve hypertension and stroke management: evidence from a crowdsourcing open call and designathon in Nigeria

Chidi Okafor  1 , Shravya Allena  2 , Olaoluwaposi Ogunlana  3 , Olufunto A Olusanya  2 , Ucheoma Nwaozuru  4 , Ifedola Olojo  5 , Folahanmi T Akinsolu  5 , Hong Xian  6 , Chizoba Ezepue  7 , Titilola Gbaja-Biamila  2   5 , Adesola Musa  5 , Njideka Okubadejo  8 , Rajesh Vedanthan  9 , Collins O Airhihenbuwa  10 , Olajide Williams  11 , Olugbenga G Ogedegbe  9 , Temitope Ojo  2 , Oliver Ezechi  5 , Joseph D Tucker  12 , Juliet Iwelunmor  13
Affiliations
Observational Study

Music as a strategy to improve hypertension and stroke management: evidence from a crowdsourcing open call and designathon in Nigeria

Chidi Okafor et al. BMC Public Health. .

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.

Keywords: Crowdsourcing; Hypertension; Music-intervention; Participatory-research; Stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: 1. We obtained ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research [NIMR] (Lagos, Nigeria). The study was conducted in accordance with local legislation and institutional requirements, which required that informed consent be obtained from all participants; this was obtained during this study. Informed consent from parents or legal guardians for minors was waived in this study, in accordance with the ethical approval granted by NIMR-IRB/23/011, as the risk to minors was deemed minimal. Consent for publication: 2. Not Applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of the key participatory implementation process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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