Implementation, integration, and institutionalization of a community-based strategy for hypertension control in...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Hypertension is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Despite available interventions, hypertension control rates remain low globally.
• Novel community-based strategies are crucial for improving hypertension detection, treatment, and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a community-based strategy for reducing blood pressure (BP) levels in a LMIC.
• To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of a community-based hypertension care program.
• To reduce the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and healthcare access barriers.

Main Methods:

• The RE-HOPE study protocol involved active community screening to identify adults with hypertension.
• Intervention included enrollment in primary care, home visits with lifestyle counseling, and training for healthcare providers and community health workers (CHWs).
• CHWs coordinated referrals and follow-up appointments, with the primary outcome being change in BP from baseline to 12 months.

Main Results:

• The study is expected to yield evidence on implementation outcomes like feasibility and acceptability of community screening.
• Anticipated results include reduced prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and minimized healthcare access barriers.
• The strategy is expected to facilitate timely detection, monitoring, and address institutionalization gaps.

Conclusions:

• The RE-HOPE study provides evidence on the effectiveness of a community-based hypertension control strategy integrated into primary care.
• This model demonstrates a potentially replicable approach for enhancing hypertension control in LMICs.
• The findings aim to reduce the long-term burden of hypertension in vulnerable populations.