Results of a hypertension and diabetes treatment program in the slums of Nairobi: a retrospective cohort study

Demand and supply-side barriers and opportunities to enhance access to healthcare for urban poor populations in Kenya: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the barriers to and options for improving access to quality healthcare for the urban poor in Nairobi, Kenya.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

This was a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews (n=12), focus group discussions with community members (n=12) and key informant interviews with health providers and policymakers (n=25) were conducted between August 2019 and September 2020. Four feedback and validation workshops were held in December 2019 and April-June 2021.

SETTING

Korogocho and Viwandani urban slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

RESULTS

The socioe-conomic status of individuals and their families, such as poverty and lack of health insurance, interact with community-level factors like poor infrastructure, limited availability of health facilities and insecurity; and health system factors such as limited facility opening hours, health providers' attitudes and skills and limited public health resources to limit healthcare access and perpetuate health inequities. Limited involvement in decision-making processes by service providers and other key stakeholders was identified as a major challenge with significant implications on how limited health system resources are managed.

CONCLUSION

Despite many targeted interventions to improve the health and well-being of the urban poor, slum residents are still unable to obtain quality healthcare because of persistent and new barriers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a devolved health system, paying attention to health services managers' abilities to assess and respond to population health needs is vital. The limited use of existing accountability mechanisms requires attention to ensure that the mechanisms enhance, rather than limit, access to health services for the urban slum residents. The uniqueness of poor urban settings also requires in-depth and focused attention to social determinants of health within these contexts. To address individual, community and system-level barriers to quality healthcare in this and related settings and expand access to health services for all, multisectoral strategies tailored to each population group are needed.

A contextual exploration of healthcare service use in urban slums in Nigeria

Introduction

Many urban residents in low- and middle-income countries live in unfavorable conditions with few healthcare facilities, calling to question the long-held view of urban advantage in health, healthcare access and utilization. We explore the patterns of healthcare utilization in these deprived neighborhoods by studying three such settlements in Nigeria.

Methods

The study was conducted in three slums in Southwestern Nigeria, categorized as migrant, indigenous or cosmopolitan, based on their characteristics. Using observational data of those who needed healthcare and used in-patient or out-patient services in the 12 months preceding the survey, frequencies, percentages and odds-ratios were used to show the study participants’ environmental and population characteristics, relative to their patterns of healthcare use.

Results

A total of 1,634 residents from the three slums participated, distributed as 763 (migrant), 459 (indigenous) and 412 (cosmopolitan). Residents from the migrant (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.51 to 0.97) and indigenous (OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.45 to 0.93) slums were less likely to have used formal healthcare facilities than those from the cosmopolitan slum. Slum residents were more likely to use formal healthcare facilities for maternal and perinatal conditions, and generalized pains, than for communicable (OR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.34 to 0.72) and non-communicable diseases (OR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.41 to 0.91). The unemployed had higher odds (OR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.08 to 1.93) of using formal healthcare facilities than those currently employed.

Conclusion

The cosmopolitan slum, situated in a major financial center and national economic hub, had a higher proportion of formal healthcare facility usage than the migrant and indigenous slums where about half of families were classified as poor. The urban advantage premise and Anderson behavioral model remain a practical explanatory framework, although they may not explain healthcare use in all possible slum types in Africa. A context-within-context approach is important for addressing healthcare utilization challenges in slums in sub-Saharan Africa.

Community health worker-led, technology-enabled private sector intervention for diabetes and hypertension management among urban poor: a retrospective cohort study from large Indian metropolitan city

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the effectiveness of community health workers (CHWs)-led, technology-enabled programme as a large-scale, real-world solution for screening and long-term management of diabetes and hypertension in low-income and middle-income countries.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort design.

SETTING

Forty-seven low-income neighbourhoods of Hyderabad, a large Indian metropolis.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (aged ≥20 years) who subscribed to an ongoing community-based chronic disease management programme employing CHWs and technology to manage diabetes and hypertension.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

We used deidentified programme data between 1 March 2015 and 8 October 2018 to measure participants' pre-enrolment and post-enrolment retention rate and within time-interval mean difference in participants' fasting blood glucose and blood pressure using Kaplan-Meier and mixed-effect regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

51 126 participants were screened (median age 41 years; 65.2% women). Participant acquisition rate (screening to enrolment) was 4%. Median (IQR) retention period was 163.3 days (87.9-288.8), with 12 months postenrolment retention rate as 16.5% (95% CI 14.7 to 18.3). Reduction in blood glucose and blood pressure levels varied by participants' retention in the programme. Adjusted mean difference from baseline ranged from -14.0 mg/dL (95% CI -18.1 to -10.0) to -27.9 mg/dL (95% CI -47.6 to -8.1) for fasting blood glucose; -2.7 mm Hg (95% CI -7.2 to 2.7) to -7.1 mm Hg (95% CI -9.1 to -4.9) for systolic blood pressure and -1.7 mm Hg (95% CI -4.6 to 1.1) to -4.2 mm Hg (95% CI -4.9 to -3.6) for diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

CHW-led, technology-enabled private sector interventions can feasibly screen individuals for non-communicable diseases and effectively manage those who continue on the programme in the long run. However, changes in the model (eg, integration with the public health system to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure) may be needed to increase its adoption by individuals and thereby improve its cost-effectiveness.

Integrated community-based HIV and non-communicable disease care within microfinance groups in Kenya: study protocol for the Harambee cluster randomised trial

INTRODUCTION

In Kenya, distance to health facilities, inefficient vertical care delivery and limited financial means are barriers to retention in HIV care. Furthermore, the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people living with HIV complicates chronic disease treatment and strains traditional care delivery models. Potential strategies for improving HIV/NCD treatment outcomes are differentiated care, community-based care and microfinance (MF).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will use a cluster randomised trial to evaluate integrated community-based (ICB) care incorporated into MF groups in medium and high HIV prevalence areas in western Kenya. We will conduct baseline assessments with n=900 HIV positive members of 40 existing MF groups. Group clusters will be randomised to receive either (1) ICB or (2) standard of care (SOC). The ICB intervention will include: (1) clinical care visits during MF group meetings inclusive of medical consultations, NCD management, distribution of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and NCD medications, and point-of-care laboratory testing; (2) peer support for ART adherence and (3) facility referrals as needed. MF groups randomised to SOC will receive regularly scheduled care at a health facility. Findings from the two trial arms will be compared with follow-up data from n=300 matched controls. The primary outcome will be VS at 18 months. Secondary outcomes will be retention in care, absolute mean change in systolic blood pressure and absolute mean change in HbA1c level at 18 months. We will use mediation analysis to evaluate mechanisms through which MF and ICB care impact outcomes and analyse incremental cost-effectiveness of the intervention in terms of cost per HIV suppressed person-time, cost per patient retained in care and cost per disability-adjusted life-year saved.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Moi University Institutional Research and Ethics Committee approved this study (IREC#0003054). We will share data via the Brown University Digital Repository and disseminate findings via publication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04417127.

Coping with access barriers to non-communicable disease medicines: qualitative patient interviews in eight counties in Kenya

Background

There is rich literature on barriers to medicines access for the treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in high-income countries. Less is known about low- and middle-income countries, in particular the differences in coping with medicines access barrier by household wealth and disease. The aim of this study was to compare the coping mechanisms of patients with the lack of availability and affordability of cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and asthma medicines in Kenya.

Methods

This qualitative study was part of a larger mixed methods evaluation study conducted in eight counties of Kenya from 2016 to 2019. Forty-nine patient interviews at study end line explored their NCD journey, perceptions of availability, stockouts and affordability of NCD medicines, their enrollment in health insurance, and their relationship with the private chemists. Transcribed interviews were coded using Nvivo software. A two-step thematic approach was used, first conducting a priority coding which was followed by coding emerging and divergent themes.

Results

Overall, we found that patients across all disease types and wealth level faced frequent medicine stock-outs at health facilities. In the absence of NCD medicines at health facilities, patients coped by purchasing medicines from local chemists, switching health facilities, requesting a different prescription, admitting oneself to an inpatient facility, establishing connections with local staff to receive notifications of medicine stock, stocking up on medicines, utilizing social capital to retrieve medicines from larger cities and obtaining funds from a network of friends and family. Categorizing by disease revealed patterns in coping choices that were based on the course of the disease, severity of the symptoms and the direct and indirect costs incurred as a result of stockouts of NCD medicines. Categorizing by wealth highlight differences in households’ capacity to cope with the unavailability and unaffordability of NCD medicines.

Conclusions

The type of coping strategies to access barriers differ by NCD and wealth group. Although Kenya has made important strides to address NCD medicines access challenges, prioritizing enrollment of low wealth households in county health insurance programs and ensuring continuous availability of essential NCD medicines at public health facilities close to the patient homes could improve access.

Mapping the Current and Future Noncommunicable Disease Burden in Kenya by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status: A Modeling Study

BACKGROUND

The noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden in Kenya is not well characterized, despite estimates needed to identify future health priorities. We aimed to quantify current and future NCD burden in Kenya by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.

METHODS

Original systematic reviews and meta-analyses of prevalence/incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease, depression, diabetes, high total cholesterol, hypertension, human papillomavirus infection, and related precancerous stages in Kenya were carried out. An individual-based model was developed, simulating births, deaths, HIV disease and treatment, aforementioned NCDs, and cancers. The model was parameterized using systematic reviews and epidemiological national and regional surveillance data. NCD burden was quantified for 2018-2035 by HIV status among adults.

RESULTS

Systematic reviews identified prevalence/incidence data for each NCD except ischemic heart disease. The model estimates that 51% of Kenyan adults currently suffer from ≥1 NCD, with a higher burden in people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to persons not living with HIV (62% vs 51%), driven by their higher age profile and partly by HIV-related risk for NCDs. Hypertension and high total cholesterol are the main NCD drivers (adult prevalence of 20.5% [5.3 million] and 9.0% [2.3 million]), with CVD and cancers the main causes of death. The burden is projected to increase by 2035 (56% in persons not living with HIV; 71% in PLWH), with population growth doubling the number of people needing services (15.4 million to 28.1 million) by 2035.

CONCLUSIONS

NCD services will need to be expanded in Kenya. Guidelines in Kenya already support provision of these among both the general and populations living with HIV; however, coverage remains low.

Slums, Space, and State of Health-A Link between Settlement Morphology and Health Data

Approximately 1 billion slum dwellers worldwide are exposed to increased health risks due to their spatial environment. Recent studies have therefore called for the spatial environment to be introduced as a separate dimension in medical studies. Hence, this study investigates how and on which spatial scale relationships between the settlement morphology and the health status of the inhabitants can be identified. To this end, we summarize the current literature on the identification of slums from a geographical perspective and review the current literature on slums and health of the last five years (376 studies) focusing on the considered scales in the studies. We show that the majority of medical studies are restricted to certain geographical regions. It is desirable that the number of studies be adapted to the number of the respective population. On the basis of these studies, we develop a framework to investigate the relationship between space and health. Finally, we apply our methodology to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of slums and different health metrics using data of the global burden of diseases for different prefectures in Brazil on a subnational level.

Health issues in a Bangalore slum: findings from a household survey using a mobile screening toolkit in Devarajeevanahalli

Background

Slums are home to nearly one billion people in the world and are expanding at an exponential rate. Devarjeevanahalli is a large notified slum in Bangalore, South India which is characterised by poverty, overcrowding, hazardous living environment and social complexities. The poor living conditions not only affect the health of the people living there but also poses distinctive challenges to conducting health surveys. The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a household survey that was done to study the health condition of people living in a slum.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional survey was designed to determine the prevalence of health conditions using a mobile screening toolkit-THULSI (Toolkit for Healthy Urban Life in Slums Initiative). Devarjeevanahalli slum was chosen purposively as it is fairly representative of any slum in a big city in India. Sample size was calculated as 1100 households and demographic parameters at the household level and parameters related to priority health conditions (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anaemia and malnutrition) at the individual level were studied.

Six zones within the slum were purposively selected and all the contiguous households were selected. The last of the six zones was partially surveyed as the desired sample size was achieved.

Results

A total of 1186 households were surveyed and 3693 people were screened. More than three fourth (70.4%) of the population were below poverty line. Only one third had a regular job and the average daily income was 5.3$ and 2.6$ in men and women respectively. The prevalence of hypertension (35.5%), diabetes (16.6%) and anaemia (70.9%) was high in the screened slum population. Most of the people (56.5% of hypertensives and 34.4% diabetics) were screened for the first time. Almost half of the children under the age of five years were stunted.

Conclusions

Poor income security and huge burden of health issues were reported among adults and children in the household health screening in a large notified slum in South India. Most people were unaware of their disease condition prior to the screening. Relatively simple technological solutions enabled the local health team to screen the slum population despite many challenges.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6756-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Can a nurse-led community-based model of hypertension care improve hypertension control in Ghana? Results from the ComHIP cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Community-based Hypertension Improvement Project (ComHIP) in increasing hypertension control.

SETTING

Lower Manya Krobo, Eastern Region, Ghana.

PARTICIPANTS

All adult hypertensive community members, except pregnant women, were eligible for inclusion in the study. We enrolled 1339 participants, 69% of whom were female. A total of 552 had a 6-month visit, and 338 had a 12-month visit.

INTERVENTIONS

We report on a package of interventions where community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) nurses were trained by FHI 360. CVD nurses confirmed diagnoses of known hypertensives and newly screened individuals. Participants were treated according to the clinical guidelines established through the project's Technical Steering Committee. Patients received three types of reminder and adherence messages. We used CommCare, a cloud-based system, as a case management and referral tool.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Hypertension control defined as blood pressure (BP) under 140/90 mm Hg.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

changes in BP and knowledge of risk factors for hypertension.

RESULTS

After 1 year of intervention, 72% (95% CI: 67% to 77%) of participants had their hypertension under control. Systolic BP was reduced by 12.2 mm Hg (95% CI: 14.4 to 10.1) and diastolic BP by 7.5 mm Hg (95% CI: 9.9 to 6.1). Due to low retention, we were unable to look at knowledge of risk factors. Factors associated with remaining in the programme for 12 months included education, older age, hypertension under control at enrolment and enrolment date. The majority of patients who remained in the programme were on treatment, with two-thirds taking at least two medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients retained in ComHIP had increased BP control. However, high loss to follow-up limits potential public health impact of these types of programmes. To minimise the impact of externalities, programmes should include standard procedures and backup systems to maximise the possibility that patients stay in the programme.

Which patients with Type 2 diabetes will have greater compliance to participation in the Diabetes Conversation Map™ program? A retrospective cohort study

AIM

To investigate the characteristics of participants in the Diabetes Conversation Map™ (Map™) program who had higher vs. lower compliance to the program, to determine if program tailoring and monitoring is needed among these groups.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 8990 patients enrolled in the Map™ program (low compliance [attending 0-1 sessions, n = 2759] and high compliance [attending ≥2 sessions, n = 6231]). Socio-demographic, clinical, health behaviors, and healthcare utilization characteristics were extracted. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression was used as the analysis strategy.

RESULTS

Those who were of higher socio-economic status (OR = 1.567, 95%CI:1.317-1.865), who lived in urban area (OR = 1.501, 95%CI:1.254-1.798), with greater frequency of primary care visits (OR = 1.012, 95%CI:1.002-1.021), with medium (OR = 1.176, 95%CI:1.013-1.365) or high oral medication adherence (OR = 1.198, 95%CI:1.059-1.356), and with a greater frequency of blood glucose tests (OR = 1.102, 95%CI:1.033-1.175) had greater odds of being in the high compliance group. Conversely, those aged 35-44 (OR = 0.538, 95%CI:0.402-0.721) and 45-54 years (OR = 0.763, 95%CI:0.622-0.937), with longer Type 2 diabetes duration (OR = 0.980, 95%CI:0.967-0.993), with higher blood glucose levels (OR = 0.999, 95%CI:0.998-1.000), and current (OR = 0.659, 95%CI:0.569-0.762) or former smokers (OR = 0.831, 95%CI:0.737-0.938) had reduced odds for being in the higher compliance group.

CONCLUSIONS

Instructors in advance can target sub-groups to increase their attendance rates, and consequently improve their outcomes.

Prescription patterns and adequacy of blood pressure control among adult hypertensive patients in Kenya; findings and implications

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, with high prevalence rates in Africa including Kenya. Consequently, it is imperative to understand current treatment approaches and their effectiveness in practice. Currently, there is paucity of such data in Kenya, which is a concern. The aim is to describe prescribing patterns and adequacy of blood pressure (BP) control in adult hypertensive patients to guide future practice.

METHOD

Retrospective study of patients attending a sub-county outpatient clinic combined with qualitative interviews.

RESULTS

247 hypertensive patients, predominantly female, mean age 55.8 years on antihypertensive therapy for 1-5 years, were analyzed. ACEIs and thiazide diuretics were the most commonly prescribed drugs, mainly as combination therapy. Treatment typically complied with guidelines, mainly for stage 2 hypertension (75%). BP control was observed in 46% of patients, with a significant reduction in mean systolic (155 to 144 mmHg) and diastolic (91 to 83 mmHg) BP (P < 0.001). Patients on ≥2 antihypertensive drugs were more likely to have uncontrolled BP (OR:1.9, p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

Encouragingly good adherence to guidelines was helped by training. Poor blood pressure control in the majority needs to be addressed. Additional training of prescribers and follow-up of measures to improve BP control will be introduced and followed up.

Accessing clinical services and retention in care following screening for hypertension and diabetes among Malawian adults: an urban/rural comparison

OBJECTIVE

Interventions to impact on the burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, include screening of asymptomatic adults, but little is known about the subsequent course of clinical care. We report on the uptake of referral for clinical assessment and retention in care, following a large urban/rural population screening program in Malawi.

METHODS

Adult residents were screened for raised blood pressure and raised fasting blood glucose at a demographic surveillance site in rural Karonga District and in urban Area 25, Lilongwe with well supported chronic care clinics. Successful uptake was defined as presenting for clinical assessment within 6 weeks of referral, and nonattenders were followed at home. Logistic regression was used to examine association of uptake with demographic and clinical factors. Retention was assessed using survival analysis techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 27 305 participants were screened for hypertension and diabetes between May 2013 and September 2015. Of these, 4075 (14.9%) were referred for suspected hypertension (3640), diabetes (172), or both (263). Among those referred, 2480 (60.9%), reported for clinical assessment. Factors associated with uptake of care included being female, rural residency, older age, unemployment, prior medication, and diabetes. Retention, for those enrolled in care following a formal clinical assessment, was associated with the final diagnosis following clinical assessment, rural residency, and older age.

CONCLUSION

Screening for hypertension and diabetes identifies large numbers of individuals who need further clinical assessment, but strategies are needed to ensure better linkage and retention into care.

Regional and Sex Differences in the Prevalence and Awareness of Hypertension: An H3Africa AWI-Gen Study Across 6 Sites in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

There is a high prevalence of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, yet few large studies exploring hypertension in Africa are available. The actual burden of disease is poorly understood and awareness and treatment to control it is often suboptimal.

OBJECTIVES

The study sought to report the prevalence of measured hypertension and to assess awareness and control of blood pressure among older adults in rural and urban settings in 6 sites located in West, East, and Southern Africa. In addition, we examined regional, sex, and age differences related to hypertension.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was performed at 6 sites in 4 African countries: Burkina Faso (Nanoro), Ghana (Navrongo), Kenya (Nairobi), and South Africa (Agincourt, Dikgale, Soweto). Blood pressure measurements were taken using standardized procedures on 10,696 adults 40 to 60 years of age. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive medication.

RESULTS

The mean prevalence of hypertension ranged from 15.1% in Nanoro to 54.1% in Soweto. All 3 of the South African sites had a mean prevalence of hypertension of over 40.0%, significantly higher than in Nairobi (25.6%) and Navrongo (24.5%). Prevalence increased with age in both sexes and at all sites. A significantly higher prevalence of hypertension was observed in women in Agincourt, Dikgale, and Nairobi, whereas in Nanoro this trend was reversed. Within the hypertensive group the average proportion of participants who were aware of their blood pressure status was only 39.4% for men and 53.8% for women, and varied widely across sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that the prevalence of hypertension and the level of disease awareness differ not only between but also within sub-Saharan African countries. Each nation must tailor their regional hypertension awareness and screening programs to match the characteristics of their local populations.