Kenya is a country experiencing challenges related to lifestyle disease with the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In Nairobi, the decrease in physical activity among urban children and a drastic rise in obesity among women are becoming more evident. Systematic reviews and research has demonstrated that by focusing on education and inducing healthy life-styles from childhood can help prevent future generations from developing diabetes and related NCDs.The project seeks to promote healthy living and increase awareness of diabetes in selected primary schools across Kenya.
This project will be complementary to the national diabetes program coordinated by the Ministry of Health. The aim is to teach healthy habits to children in schools - 10 to 12 years of age - to prevent type 2 diabetes and other NCDs. As key influencers for behavioural change, the teachers will become ambassadors of the programme by addressing issues – such as healthy eating and physical exercise - through role play in the schools. Also parents and food vendors will be targeted as they play a vital role in giving continuity to the programme. Vendors will be encouraged to sell healthy food around the school areas and the parents will be trained to provide children with the right diet and motivation at home.The project will take departure in a tree phase approach:A prototype of the programme will be developed in 4 schools in the initial phase. As part of the activities, national, county and school stakeholders will be sensitised. Workshops will be organised to introduce the project and stimulate engagement. Screening for diabetes and hypertension will be offered to all participants.A two days training based on trainer of trainer principle (TOT) workshop will be organised for the teachers. Their involvement in the programme will be evaluated by assigned school staff.Child-to-child training sessions will be held for 120 children from the target group. After the training, they will be responsible for coordinating class group activities, educating peers on health issues via one-on-one session, generating ideas and being leaders of the health activities in the school.In the second phase, twelve primary schools will be selected for feasibility testing of the initial model. The same process from the prototype phase will be carried out.During the last phase, the health promotion model will be disseminated to all relevant stakeholders at national and county levels and the implementation will be facilitated. The lessons learnt during the programme will be continuously documented. An evaluation report will be prepared and the findings will continuously be adopted into the development processes in order to optimise the programme. The ultimate goal of the project is to replicate and implement the model at the national level in Kenya.
• More than 3,000 people screened for diabetes and hypertension• More than 250 key stakeholders sensitised• More than 10,000 teachers sensitised• 145 teachers trained as TOT on health promotion and action• More than 5,000 parents and community members sensitised• More than 1,500 pupils sensitised• 483 pupil-to-pupil trainers trained• 2 national dissemination forums conducted