Title : COACH study: Community engagement for adolescent cardiovascular health in Pakistan
Abstract:
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality globally, with early risk factors increasingly observed among adolescents, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. Adolescence is a critical stage for establishing long-term health behaviors, yet limited research has explored adolescents’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) related to cardiovascular health or the role of community engagement in shaping these behaviors. The COACH Study (Community Engagement for Adolescent Cardiovascular Health) aims to assess adolescent cardiovascular health and promote sustainable behavior change through school-based, culturally appropriate, and community-driven interventions. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the study will be conducted across five public and private secondary schools in Karachi. A total of 500 students aged 13–18 will complete an adapted version of the WHO Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) to assess cardiovascular risk-related behaviors. Qualitative components will include focus group discussions with adolescents, parents, and educators, as well as in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and media professionals to explore sociocultural influences and systemic barriers to heart health. Participatory tools such as photovoice and digital storytelling will empower students to co-create heart-health narratives. Findings will be used to co-develop and pilot community-informed interventions and offer policy recommendations for integrating cardiovascular education into national school curricula. By centering youth perspectives and engaging key community stakeholders, COACH aims to build a replicable model for adolescent heart health promotion in low-resource settings, aligned with community engagement and involvement (CEI) principles.
