Effectiveness of Vernacularized Educational Theatre (VET) in Reducing Salt Intake among Hypertensive Patients in Nigeria

Soupriye Bidokumo Zibima *

Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Agnes Nonyem Anarado

Department of Nursing Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.

Gift Benue Zibima

Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Arts, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Jane Ekemunayo Dambo

Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Eunice Boma Moses

Department of Midwifery, Rivers State College of Nursing, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Vernacularized Educational Theatre (VET) intervention in reducing salt intake among hypertensive patients.

Study Design:  Quasi-experimental design, utilizing a pre-test and post-test approach.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, between November 2022 and March 2023.

Methodology: The study included 88 hypertensive patients assigned randomly to control and intervention groups. Data on dietary salt-related knowledge were obtained with a validated questionnaire, while 24-hour urine samples were collected with 3-liter receptacles at baseline, and at 2weeks and 4weeks post-intervention. The intervention group received the VET one week after baseline data collection, with a follow-up four weeks later. Urinary sodium was measured using a potentiometric analyzer, and student t-tests and Pearson correlation were employed to assess changes in salt-related knowledge and test the hypothesis respectively.

Results: The average age of participants was 51.9 (SD± 2.12) years. Both groups had similar salt intake (6.2g and 6.3g) at baseline. Post-intervention, the intervention group’s intake decreased significantly to 4.4g (p = 0.000), while the control group’s intake remained unchanged. Similarly, the intervention group’ salt-related knowledge scores increased significantly from 10.5 to 18.6 (p = 0.000), whereas the control group's scores did not change significantly.

Conclusion: The VET significantly lowered salt intake and enhanced salt-related knowledge among hypertensive patients, suggesting its viability in promoting healthy salt consumption behaviors.

Keywords: Educational theatre, hypertension, salt intake, behaviour change, quasi-experimental study, Nigeria


How to Cite

Zibima, Soupriye Bidokumo, Agnes Nonyem Anarado, Gift Benue Zibima, Jane Ekemunayo Dambo, and Eunice Boma Moses. 2025. “Effectiveness of Vernacularized Educational Theatre (VET) in Reducing Salt Intake Among Hypertensive Patients in Nigeria”. Asian Journal of Medical Principles and Clinical Practice 8 (1):12-25. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajmpcp/2025/v8i1263.

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