The students of the seventh-semester BSc Nursing and the Department of Community Health Nursing, in collaboration with the unit of National Service Scheme (NSS), MCON, organized a series of health awareness programmes on Non-Communicable Diseases on 18th September 2025 at Urban Primary Health Centre, Manipal.
The programmes focused on common non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus, hypertension, malaise, and cancer, aiming to enhance community awareness regarding their causes, risk factors, symptoms, complications, prevention, and management, while promoting early diagnosis, lifestyle modification, and self-care practices.
Health education sessions were delivered through a variety of interactive methods, including health talks, posters, charts, flashcards, video demonstrations, pamphlet distribution, and home visits for residents unable to attend center-based sessions. Students emphasized lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a balanced diet, reducing sugar and fat intake, engaging in regular physical activity, managing weight, adhering to prescribed medications, monitoring blood sugar and blood pressure, practicing proper foot care, managing stress, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and undergoing regular screenings such as Pap smear, mammogram, oral examinations, and blood tests. A total of 45 participants attended the programme. Participants actively engaged in group discussions, asked questions, clarified doubts, and demonstrated understanding and willingness to adopt the recommended preventive and management strategies. The sessions were conducted bilingually in Kannada and Tulu to ensure a clear understanding.
The programmes also gave nursing students valuable practical experience in community health education, patient counselling, and applying theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Overall, the series of health education programmes was highly effective in increasing community knowledge, promoting positive health-seeking behaviours, encouraging lifestyle changes, and fostering empowerment among community members to adopt healthier habits, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes in the local population, which contributes to SDG 3 and SDG 4. The programme was conducted under the supervision of Dr Vinish V, Assistant Professor, and Dr Malathi G Nayak, Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON.
