Impact of a community based intervention program on awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in a rural Panchayat, Kerala, India

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• Community based intervention
• Impact
• Hypertension
• Kerala
• India