A community-based intervention program using trained local volunteers significantly increased the odds of hypertension control (OR 4.39) compared to baseline in a rural Indian population.
Observational (n=6,890)
No
Does a community-based intervention program using trained volunteers improve the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in rural adults?
A community-based intervention utilizing trained local volunteers over 6 years significantly improved the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a rural Indian population.
Effect estimate: OR 4.39 (95% CI 3.36-5.73)
Absolute Event Rate: 21.7% vs 6.5%
p-value: p=<0.001
OBJECTIVE: Community based intervention to control hypertension is extremely limited in India. We conducted this study to find the effectiveness of a community based intervention program on the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension. METHODS: A baseline survey was conducted among 4627 adults aged ≥30 years (men 44%) selected by cluster sampling. Information was collected using a structured interview schedule by trained local volunteers. They measured weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure using standard protocol. The volunteers monitored blood pressure at least once a month and educated the people in neighborhood groups on the need for regular medication and reducing risk factors of hypertension for a period of six years. A post intervention survey was conducted among 2263 adults aged ≥30 years (men 49%). Stepwise logistic regression analysis was done to find the odds of change in awareness, treatment and control of hypertension. RESULTS: The odds of awareness (OR 4.18, 95% CI 3.44-5.08), treatment (OR 3.44 CI 2.81-4.22) and control (OR 4.39 CI 3.36-5.73) of hypertension increased significantly in the post intervention survey compared to the baseline survey. Baseline hypertension prevalence of 34.9% (CI 33.8-36.1) was reduced to 31.0% (CI 29.1-32.9) in the post intervention survey based on age adjusted analysis. CONCLUSION: Our community based intervention using trained community based volunteers could increase awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among adult hypertensives.
Thankappan et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Hypertension (n=6,890). Community based intervention program (health education and blood pressure monitoring by trained volunteers) vs. Baseline (pre-intervention) was evaluated on Control of hypertension (OR 4.39, 95% CI 3.36-5.73, p=<0.001). A community-based intervention program using trained local volunteers significantly increased the odds of hypertension control (OR 4.39) compared to baseline in a rural Indian population.