Screening and health education in barbershop centers for hypertension (SALOON-HTN)

Background Hypertension is a major concern of public health policy in Tunisia. However hypertension is both highly prevalent (almost 35% of the Tunisian population) and insufficiently treated and controlled, which is partly due to unawareness. Historically, barbershops previously have been used for blood pressure screening and to improve hypertension controlled rate Objective This study aimed to screen hypertension in barbershops. Study design SALOON-HTN is a cross-sectional, descriptive, non-interventional, multicenter survey aiming to screen hypertension by measuring blood pressure in barbershops, located in Metline Township (limited contact with the healthcare system). Twenty-seven barbershops hairdressers were trained by a medical staff to measure the blood pressure by an ambulatory device. All subjects willing to participate in the survey were asked to measure their blood pressure after at least 5 minutes rest. Three measures were performed by the Hairdressers, with an interval of 1 minute between each measure. The mean of the last two measures was considered. If the mean blood pressure level exceeded 135 and/or 85 mmHg the subject was referred to physician. Patients Adults aged more than 18 years were included. Results A total of 1 536 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 40.7±15 years; 57% were men. Among them, 54.2% had never measured their blood pressure; 439 (28.5%) participants had hypertension, only 136 (8.9%) of those with hypertension were aware of their condition, 95 participants (69.9% of those who were aware of their condition) were receiving treatment, and hypertension was controlled in 43.2% participants of those being treated. Overall control was worst in our study (8.9%). Conclusion Saloon-htn confirmed the poor control and unawareness of hypertension. There is an obvious need for programs to increase access to primary care physicians.