Perceptions and Perspectives of Mission-Involved Members on Lifestyle, Non-communicable Diseases, and Health Promotion in Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in Argentina.

Faith-based organizations provide effective platforms for implementing basic health programs because of their social engagement and influence on personal health decisions. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions and perspectives of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church members in Argentina about risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and health promotion within their churches and the surrounding community. This is a qualitative exploratory study with 30 focus groups, each comprising 4-7 local church members, representing 119 churches across 13 provinces in Argentina. Semi-structured audio-recorded interviews were conducted, designed to gather insights into participants' perceptions and perspectives. Subsequent meetings focused on training in lifestyle and NCDs, and the collaborative development of health promotion strategies. Information from the interviews was transcribed, coded, and manually analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Church leaders identified hypertension, diabetes, and obesity as the most prevalent NCDs affecting church members and the broader community. Major risk factors include sedentarism, poor nutrition, and mental stress. While church members' lifestyles were perceived to be better than those of the general community, they were still considered suboptimal. Health promotion programs were deemed necessary, with members suggesting that tailored approaches to their churches and communities may significantly improve lifestyles. By the end of the training, leaders proposed adapted health programs to meet the perceived needs of each community. Perceptions of NCDs risk factors were identified, and perspectives on health programs were viewed positively to foster beneficial changes that support healthier lifestyle habits in SDA church members and their surrounding communities in Argentina.