Abstract
South Africa has among the highest prevalence of hypertension in persons ≥ 60 years worldwide. Innovative interventions to reduce blood pressure (BP) are needed. Locations where older persons collect Older Persons Grants present a unique opportunity for such an intervention. We designed a study to determine if regular measurement and feedback of BP in grant queues, promoting hypertension knowledge and referring to care, will reduce BP among those measured. Monthly BP measurements were conducted at six grant collection locations in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. In the 12-month intervention, we measured BP, promoted hypertension knowledge, introduced a BP risk assessment card, and referred to care if hypertensive. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP (DBP)≥90 mmHg or on hypertension medication. Linear quantile regression models were used to estimate the median intervention effect for SBP and DBP, using robust variance estimates. Binomial regression models were used to estimate intervention effect on measured hypertensive status and knowledge of hypertension status using difference between baseline and first three months of intervention. We performed 7066 measurements, 73% in women, average age 71.4 years, 39% of contacts being hypertensive. SBP dropped by 3.6 mmHg. DBP dropped by 0.83 mmHg [95%CI -1.53; -0.13]. Overall, there was a 17.9% reduction in measured hypertension over the intervention period [95%CI -24.7;-11.0] (p<0.001), adjusted for time, age, and sex. Measuring BP in grant payment sites together with hypertension knowledge and awareness is effective in reducing BP in older populations.
Presenters
Francesc Xavier Gomez OliveAssociate Director, School of Public Health, South African Medical Research Council, Gauteng, South Africa Jane Simmonds
Research Manager, South African Medical Research Council, Western Cape, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Medical Perspectives on Aging, Health, Wellness
KEYWORDS
Hypertension, Older Persons, Rural, Community-Based Interventions, South Africa, Screening
