Non-communicable diseases are the leading causes of death globally, of which cardiovascular diseases are the most common. Cost effective interventions (educational & behavioural interventions) for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors should be promoted especially in the low and middle income countries such as India; such interventions must start in childhood because this is the time when the disease processes start and when life style habits are formed. Further, schools offer an ideal setting of a captive population of adolescents for these interventions. Our hypothesis is that schools with students, who receive intervention in the form of an educational capsule, directed at reduction of cardiovascular risk factors will have improved knowledge, attitudes & practices regarding the same (when compared to before-intervention and to schools with students not receiving such an intervention).

The intervention package would comprise of education to the children on the three principal areas of cardiovascular risk factors i.e. dietary behaviors, physical activity & tobacco consumption using a set of educational modules developed by the investigators with technical help from experts in the field. Innovative & locally available methods like storytelling, games, role-plays & preparation of charts by students would be used. The intervention will be delivered over a period of 6 days. This kind of educational programme will be delivered twice during the period of 1 year at a gap of 6 months (Jan-Feb, Aug-Sep). So, a total of two educational programs will be held for the students in the intervention group. The students in the control arm will not receive any special educational intervention on cardiovascular risk factors. Knowledge and attitude scores will be developed using the interview schedule to assess the levels of knowledge and attitude at both baseline and following the intervention. The level of knowledge of students regarding risk factors for CVDs will be the primary outcome measure while the levels of risk factors (i.e. dietary practices, physical activity and use of tobacco) will be the secondary outcome measure.

With this study, we aim to provide evidence that a well designed educational intervention delivered in an innovative & interesting manner has an impact on the knowledge, attitude and practices related to cardiovascular risk factors of the children which in turn will improve their health status in the long run. By involving the education sector, the same model can be implemented in other schools as well, thereby improving the health status of an entire generation.