CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • SAHS Biennial Congress 16-18 September 2022 33 AFRICA Submission ID: 1372 Introduction In South Africa between 1998 and 2016, hypertension rates in young adults (15-34 years) more than doubled calling for preventive interventions. However, with many youths not in employment, education, or training (NEET), young adults struggle to prioritize health or implement healthy behaviours. It is not clear if changing a NEET status changes behavioural intentions. This study aimed to explore young adults’ intention to change behaviour by comparing hypertension-related risk perceptions and beliefs between NEET (n=20) and previously NEET youth (n=20) on a health education training initiative (HETI). Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. Data were collected through six focus group discussions from August to October 2021, utilising the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the conceptual framework. Results While all youth viewed hypertension as life threatening leading to cardiovascular disease or death, especially if left untreated, only youth undertaking health education felt empowered to implement healthy behaviours for disease prevention. These youth reported BP selfchecks and the practical application of their knowledge as motivating factors for preventive behaviour, making it personally important for them. In contrast, NEET youth felt hypertension was inevitable and described negative experiences at clinics and fear of being diagnosed with hypertension as reasons not to be screened. The fear of lifelong medication use was expressed by all youth. Conclusion Our results suggest that personal relevance is key for youth to engage in preventive health behaviour for chronic diseases. Health education programmes with practical self-testing may be useful to aid to such efforts. Name: Presenting Author Information Article Category Abstract Title SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways of Health Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa mimi.mhlaba@wits.ac.za English Abstract Clinical Hypertension perspectives and health behaviours among African youth: the impact of health education and employment. Author Affiliation: Email: Mimi Mhlaba Authors Name & Surname Title Expertise Affiliation Email Country Mimi Mhlaba Ms Postgraduate student SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways of Health Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa mimi.mhlaba@wits.ac.za South Africa Lisa Ware Dr Senior Researcher SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways of Health Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. lisa.ware@wits.ac.za South Africa Feziwe Mpondo Dr Post Doctoral Fellow SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways of Health Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. feziwe.mpondo@wits.ac.za South Africa ORAL PRESENTATION
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