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

Kenneth E. Christopher (), Jenna R. Krall, Tiffany Arvizu, Alice Juliet, Sinead Mathilda-Fraaij, Elisette Rooi-Cannister and Lona D. Bryan
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Kenneth E. Christopher: Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 24515, USA
Jenna R. Krall: Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Tiffany Arvizu: Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 24515, USA
Alice Juliet: Iglesia House of Worship (HOW) Curaçao, Erosweg, Willemstad 44P7+FFG, Curaçao
Sinead Mathilda-Fraaij: Iglesia House of Worship (HOW) Curaçao, Erosweg, Willemstad 44P7+FFG, Curaçao
Elisette Rooi-Cannister: Iglesia House of Worship (HOW) Curaçao, Erosweg, Willemstad 44P7+FFG, Curaçao
Lona D. Bryan: Helms School of Government, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 24515, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: 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 Curaçao. 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, Curaçao. 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.

Keywords: community health worker; health fair; participant satisfaction; participant experience; Promotornan di Salú; CHW-led health fair; health promotion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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