Five steps school based approach for screening of diabetes and hypertension

Abstract

Background: In India non communicable diseases accounted for 53% of all deaths in 2005. It is estimated to increase by 18% by 2015. Pre-mature onset of disease and death in India is a major concern. Issues like the limited resources, scarcity of trained health personnel and lack of motivation for community programme have increased the existing problems. Aim: To motivate community people for screening of diabetes & hypertension through school based approach. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at school settings. Five steps school based approach was used to motivate parents, family members, school staff and community people for screening of DM & HT and their risk factors. Screening camps were arranged and screening was done for hypertension and diabetes. The impact of motivation was assessed and yield rates were calculated. Results: Total 178 participants attended the screening camp. Of that 47(26.4%) were men, 65 (36.60%) were of low risk age group, 30 (16.9%) were having hypertension [8/30 (26.7%) people were newly detected]. Similarly, 21(11.8%) were having diabetes and 7 / 21(33.3%) were newly detected. Conclusion: In the present study yield of screening programme was quite good in which 34.8% community households were motivated.

Keywords

• Screening
• motivation
• Diabetes
• School based approach
• school child