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Aubrey-Basler K, Bursey K, Pike A, Penney C, Furlong B, Howells M, Al-Obaid H, Rourke J, Asghari S, Hall A. Interventions to improve primary healthcare in rural settings: A scoping review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305516. [PMID: 38990801 PMCID: PMC11239038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residents of rural areas have poorer health status, less healthy behaviours and higher mortality than urban dwellers, issues which are commonly addressed in primary care. Strengthening primary care may be an important tool to improve the health status of rural populations. OBJECTIVE Synthesize and categorize studies that examine interventions to improve rural primary care. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Experimental or observational studies published between January 1, 1996 and December 2022 that include an historical or concurrent control comparison. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE Pubmed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase. CHARTING METHODS We extracted and charted data by broad category (quality, access and efficiency), study design, country of origin, publication year, aim, health condition and type of intervention studied. We assigned multiple categories to a study where relevant. RESULTS 372 papers met our inclusion criteria, divided among quality (82%), access (20%) and efficiency (13%) categories. A majority of papers were completed in the USA (40%), Australia (15%), China (7%) or Canada (6%). 35 (9%) papers came from countries in Africa. The most common study design was an uncontrolled before-and-after comparison (32%) and only 24% of studies used randomized designs. The number of publications each year has increased markedly over the study period from 1-2/year in 1997-99 to a peak of 49 papers in 2017. CONCLUSIONS Despite substantial inequity in health outcomes associated with rural living, very little attention is paid to rural primary care in the scientific literature. Very few studies of rural primary care use randomized designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Aubrey-Basler
- Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Division of Public Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Krystal Bursey
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Andrea Pike
- Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Carla Penney
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Bradley Furlong
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Mark Howells
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Harith Al-Obaid
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - James Rourke
- Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Shabnam Asghari
- Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Division of Public Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Amanda Hall
- Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Division of Public Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Povia JP, Masenga SK, Hamooya BM, Gebremeskel Y. Productivity-adjusted life-years and correlates of uncontrolled hypertension at two health facilities in Zambia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295401. [PMID: 38060497 PMCID: PMC10703239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension has in the recent past surfaced as one of the conditions that has a significant impact on workforce productivity in emerging economies. Zambia is no different and has in the recent past recorded increasing cases. Despite the impact of hypertension being of great importance in regards to productivity, we have scarcity of data and studies on hypertension-related Productivity-Adjusted Life-Years (PALYs) in Zambia and Africa at large. This study assessed the impact of hypertension on PALYs lost and socioeconomic factors associated with nonadherence to antihypertensive medication (NATAM). METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 198 participants from Livingstone University Teaching Hospital and Maramba Clinic situated in Livingstone, Zambia. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Productivity index multiplied by years lived was used to calculate PALYs and descriptive statistics were used to summarize sociodemographic, clinical and economic variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with NATAM. RESULTS The participants had a median age (interquartile range (IQR)) of 49 years (41, 59) and 60.1% (n = 119) were females while 39.9% (n = 79) were male. Our estimated PALYs lost per person due to hypertension were 0.2 (IQR 0.0, 2.7). Cumulative PALYs value lost due to the burden of hypertension was estimated to be at $871,239.58 in gross domestic product (GDP). The prevalence of NATAM was 48% (n = 95). The factors that were significantly associated with NATAM were age (odds ratio (OR) 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90, 0.98), female sex (OR 2.52; 95%CI 1.18, 5.40), self-employment (OR 2.57; 95%CI 1.02, 6.45) and absenteeism from work (OR 3.60; 95%CI 1.16, 11.22). CONCLUSIONS Findings in our study highlight a high economic loss of PALYs due to hypertension with a potential to impact GDP negatively. We also found that NATAM reduced productivity and income among individuals of working age further impacting PALYs lost due to hypertension. The factors associated with NATAM were age, sex, employment status and absenteeism from work. This study underscores the need for interventions targeting young people, females, self-employed individuals, and absentees at work to improve adherence to antihypertensive drugs in order to reduce PALYs lost due to hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joreen P. Povia
- Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Sepiso K. Masenga
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Benson M. Hamooya
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Yordanos Gebremeskel
- Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia
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Mutale W, Ayles H, Lewis J, Bosompraph S, Chilengi R, Tembo MM, Sharp A, Chintu N, Stringer J. Protocol-driven primary care and community linkage to reduce all-cause mortality in rural Zambia: a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1214066. [PMID: 37727608 PMCID: PMC10505962 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1214066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction While tremendous progress has been made in recent years to improve the health of people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), significant challenges remain. Chief among these are poor health systems, which are often ill-equipped to respond to current challenges. It remains unclear whether intensive intervention at the health system level will result in improved outcomes, as there have been few rigorously designed comparative studies. We present results of a complex health system intervention that was implemented in Zambia using a cluster randomized design. Methods BHOMA was a complex health system intervention comprising intensive clinical training and quality improvement measures, support for commodities procurement, improved community outreach, and district level management support. The intervention was introduced as a stepped wedge cluster-randomized trial in 42 predominately rural health centers and their surrounding communities in Lusaka Province, Zambia. Baseline survey was conducted between January-May 2011, mid-line survey was conducted February-November, 2013 and Endline survey, February-November 2015.The primary outcome was all-cause mortality among those between 28 days and 60 years of age and assessed through community-based mortality surveys. Secondary outcomes included post-neonatal under-five mortality and service coverage scores. Service coverage scores were calculated across five domains (child preventative services; child treatment services; family planning; maternal health services, and adult health services). We fit Cox proportional hazards model with shared frailty at the cluster level for the primary analysis. Mortality rates were age-standardized using the WHO World Standard Population. Results Mortality declined substantially from 3.9 per 1,000 person-years in the pre-intervention period, to 1.5 per 1,000 person-years in the post intervention period. When we compared intervention and control periods, there were 174 deaths in 49,230 person years (age-standardized rate = 4.4 per 1,000 person-years) in the control phase and 277 deaths in 74,519 person years (age-standardized rate = 4.6 per 1,000 person-years) in the intervention phase. Overall, there was no evidence for an effect of the intervention in minimally-adjusted [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88, 1.56; value of p = 0.265], or adjusted (HR = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.49; value of p = 0.443) analyses.Coverage scores that showed some evidence of changing with time since the cluster joined the intervention were: an increasing proportion of children sleeping under insecticide treated bed-net (value of p < 0.001); an increasing proportion of febrile children who received appropriate anti-malarial drugs (value of p = 0.039); and an increasing proportion of ever hypertensive adults with currently controlled hypertension (value of p = 0.047). No adjustments were made for multiple-testing and the overall coverage score showed no statistical evidence for a change over time (value of p = 0.308). Conclusion We noted an overall reduction in post-neonatal under 60 mortality in the study communities during the period of our study, but this could not be attributed to the BHOMA intervention. Some improvements in service coverage scores were observed. Clinical Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT01942278.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilbroad Mutale
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambia AIDS Related Tuberculosis (ZAMBART), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - James Lewis
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Bosompraph
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Roma Chilengi
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Ab Sharp
- Zambia AIDS Related Tuberculosis (ZAMBART), Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Jeffrey Stringer
- University of North Carolina, Global Women Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Byiringiro S, Ogungbe O, Commodore-Mensah Y, Adeleye K, Sarfo FS, Himmelfarb CR. Health systems interventions for hypertension management and associated outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001794. [PMID: 37289741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension is a significant global health problem, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the effectiveness of medications and lifestyle interventions in reducing blood pressure, shortfalls across health systems continue to impede progress in achieving optimal hypertension control rates. The current review explores the health system interventions on hypertension management and associated outcomes in SSA. The World Health Organization health systems framework guided the literature search and discussion of findings. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases for studies published between January 2010 and October 2022 and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We assessed studies for the risk of bias using the tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Twelve studies clustered in 8 SSA countries met the inclusion criteria. Two thirds (8/12) of the included studies had low risk of bias. Most interventions focused on health workforce factors such as providers' knowledge and task shifting of hypertension care to unconventional health professionals (n = 10). Other health systems interventions addressed the supply and availability of medical products and technology (n = 5) and health information systems (n = 5); while fewer interventions sought to improve financing (n = 3), service delivery (n = 1), and leadership and governance (n = 1) aspects of the health systems. Health systems interventions showed varied effects on blood pressure outcomes but interventions targeting multiple aspects of health systems were likely associated with improved blood pressure outcomes. The general limitations of the overall body of literature was that studies were likely small, with short duration, and underpowered. In conclusion, the literature on health systems internventions addressing hypertension care are limited in quantity and quality. Future studies that are adequately powered should test the effect of multi-faceted health system interventions on hypertension outcomes with a special focus on financing, leadership and governance, and service delivery interventions since these aspects were least explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Byiringiro
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Oluwabunmi Ogungbe
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yvonne Commodore-Mensah
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Khadijat Adeleye
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States of America
| | - Fred Stephen Sarfo
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana
| | - Cheryl R Himmelfarb
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Bosomprah S, Bjonstad EC, Musuku J, Siyumbwa N, Ngandu M, Chisunka M, Banda P, Goma F, Mweemba A. Burden of chronic kidney diseases and underlying causes in Zambia: evidence from the global burden of disease study 2019. BMC Nephrol 2023; 24:39. [PMID: 36800948 PMCID: PMC9938689 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-023-03078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been a global public health problem and a major source of suffering and poor quality of life for those afflicted. Using data from the global burden of disease (GBD) study 2019, we estimated the magnitude of the burden of CKD as well as the underlying causes of CKD in the Zambian population. METHOD The data used for this study were extracted from the GBD 2019 study. The GBD 2019 provides estimates of several metrics of disease burden including the commonly used disability-adjusted life year (DALYs) for over 369 diseases and injuries, and 87 risk factors and combinations of these in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. We estimated the burden of CKD as the number and rates (per 100,000 population) of DALYs, disaggregated by year, sex, and age group. We examined the underlying causes of CKD by estimating the population attributable fraction as the percentage contributions of risk factors to CKD DALY. RESULTS The number of DALYs for CKD was estimated as 76.03 million (95% UI: 61.01 to 93.36) in 2019 compared to 39.42 million (95% UI: 33.09 to 45.90) in 1990, representing 93% increase whereas the DALYs rate per 100,000 population was estimated as 416.89 (95% UI: 334.53 to 511.93) in 2019 compared to 496.38 (95% UI: 416.55 to 577.87) in 1990, representing 16% reduction. CKD due to hypertension accounted for 18.7% of CKD DALYs and CKD due to diabetes (types 1 and 2) accounted for 22.7%, while CKD from glomerulonephritis accounted for the most DALYs at 33%. The age group most impacted from CKD were adolescents and young adults. CONCLUSION The burden of CKD remains high in the Zambian population with diabetes, high blood pressure, and glomerulonephritis as important causes. The results highlight the need to develop a comprehensive action plan to prevent and treat kidney disease. Increasing the awareness of CKD among the public as well as adaptation of guidelines for treating patients with end stage kidney disease are important considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Bosomprah
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. .,Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. .,Noncommunicable Diseases and Injury Commission, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Erica C. Bjonstad
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - John Musuku
- Noncommunicable Diseases and Injury Commission, Lusaka, Zambia ,grid.415794.a0000 0004 0648 4296Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Namasiku Siyumbwa
- Noncommunicable Diseases and Injury Commission, Lusaka, Zambia ,grid.415794.a0000 0004 0648 4296Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Mwila Ngandu
- grid.418015.90000 0004 0463 1467Research Department, Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Mukobe Chisunka
- grid.418015.90000 0004 0463 1467Research Department, Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia ,Noncommunicable Diseases and Injury Commission, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Patrick Banda
- Noncommunicable Diseases and Injury Commission, Lusaka, Zambia ,grid.415794.a0000 0004 0648 4296Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Fastone Goma
- Noncommunicable Diseases and Injury Commission, Lusaka, Zambia ,grid.79746.3b0000 0004 0588 4220Department of Internal Medicine, Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Aggrey Mweemba
- Noncommunicable Diseases and Injury Commission, Lusaka, Zambia ,grid.79746.3b0000 0004 0588 4220Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia ,grid.79746.3b0000 0004 0588 4220Department of Internal Medicine, Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
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Wroe EB, Mailosi B, Price N, Kachimanga C, Shah A, Kalanga N, Dunbar EL, Nazimera L, Gizaw M, Boudreaux C, Dullie L, Neba L, McBain RK. Economic evaluation of integrated services for non-communicable diseases and HIV: costs and client outcomes in rural Malawi. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063701. [PMID: 36442898 PMCID: PMC9710473 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the costs and client outcomes associated with integrating screening and treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) into HIV services in a rural and remote part in southeastern Africa. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Primary and secondary level health facilities in Neno District, Malawi. PARTICIPANTS New adult enrollees in Integrated Chronic Care Clinics (IC3) between July 2016 and June 2017. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We quantified the annualised total and per capita economic cost (US$2017) of integrated chronic care, using activity-based costing from a health system perspective. We also measured enrolment, retention and mortality over the same period. Furthermore, we measured clinical outcomes for HIV (viral load), hypertension (controlled blood pressure), diabetes (average blood glucose), asthma (asthma severity) and epilepsy (seizure frequency). RESULTS The annualised total cost of providing integrated HIV and NCD care was $2 461 901 to provide care to 9471 enrollees, or $260 per capita. This compared with $2 138 907 for standalone HIV services received by 6541 individuals, or $327 per capita. Over the 12-month period, 1970 new clients were enrolled in IC3, with a retention rate of 80%. Among clients with HIV, 81% achieved an undetectable viral load within their first year of enrolment. Significant improvements were observed among clinical outcomes for clients enrolled with hypertension, asthma and epilepsy (p<0.05, in all instances), but not for diabetes (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS IC3 is one of the largest examples of fully integrated HIV and NCD care. Integrating screening and treatment for chronic health conditions into Malawi's HIV platform appears to be a financially feasible approach associated with several positive clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily B Wroe
- Program in Global Noncommunicable Diseases and Social Change, Harvard Medical School Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Partners In Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Natalie Price
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Adarsh Shah
- Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Noel Kalanga
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Elizabeth L Dunbar
- Department of Human Centered Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Chantelle Boudreaux
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Liberty Neba
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Ryan K McBain
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, USA
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Wu Y, Ye R, Wang Q, Sun C, Meng S, Sylvia S, Zhou H, Friesen D, Rozelle S. Provider competence in hypertension management and challenges of the rural primary healthcare system in Sichuan province, China: a study based on standardized clinical vignettes. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:849. [PMID: 35778732 PMCID: PMC9248120 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08179-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving primary care providers' competence is key to detecting and managing hypertension, but evidence to guide this work has been limited, particularly for rural areas. This study aimed to use standardized clinical vignettes to assess the competence of providers and the ability of the primary healthcare system to detect and manage hypertension in rural China. METHODS A multi-stage random sampling method was administered to select target health facilities, providers, and households. The clinical vignette script was developed to evaluate provider competence in managing first-visit patients with symptoms of hypertension. Logistic regression was used to explore the factors correlated with provider competence. Provider referral and management rates were combined with patients' facility sorting behaviors to assess the ability of the rural healthcare system to manage hypertension in three policy scenarios. RESULTS A total of 306 providers and 153 facilities were enrolled in our study. In the 306 clinical vignette interactions, 25.9% of providers followed the national guidelines for hypertension consultation. The correct diagnosis was achieved by only 10.1% of providers, and 30.4% of providers were able to prescribe the correct treatment. Multi-variable regression results showed that younger providers (OR = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.73, 0.98) and those who work in township health centers (OR = 4.47, 95%: 1.07, 18.67) were more likely to provide a correct diagnosis. In a free-selection scenario, 29.8% of patients with hypertension were managed correctly throughout the rural system. When all patients first visit village clinics, system-level correct management is reduced to 20.5% but increases to 45.0% when all patients first visit township health centers. CONCLUSIONS Rural primary care providers do not have enough competence to detect and treat hypertension cases in China to an acceptable degree. Policy constraints may limit the competence of the rural healthcare system. Research to improve detection and treatment competence in hypertension and optimize health policy is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuju Wu
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Science, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruixue Ye
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Science, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingzhi Wang
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Science, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Sun
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Science, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha Meng
- Department of Operation Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Sean Sylvia
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Huan Zhou
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Science, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dimitris Friesen
- Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, California, Stanford, USA
| | - Scott Rozelle
- Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, California, Stanford, USA
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Use of simulated patients to assess hypertension case management at public healthcare facilities in South Africa. J Hypertens 2021; 38:362-367. [PMID: 31584515 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000002258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our study aims to evaluate hypertensive case management in South Africa's public health sector using simulated patients. METHOD Our study describes interactions between hypertensive simulated patients and primary healthcare workers at 39 public sector healthcare facilities in two metropolitan centres in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. Our analysis focus on 97 interactions where our eight simulated patients tested within range for stage 1 hypertension, that is with SBP 140-159 mmHg and/or DBP 90-99 mmHg. For this subset, we describe how healthcare workers communicated the outcome of the blood pressure test, and whether they follow government guidelines on risk assessment and lifestyle advice. RESULTS Healthcare workers highlighted the risks associated with hypertension in one out of three cases and stressed the importance of regular monitoring of blood pressure in less than half of cases. Hypertensive patients received advice on all six lifestyle risk factors in 8% of cases. 39% of patients received no lifestyle advice at all. In one out of four cases, hypertensive patients left the facility without a hypertension diagnosis and with no prospect of a follow-up visit. CONCLUSION Simulated patients can assess the quality of hypertension case management, yielding granular and comprehensive information that can help mobilize resources to improve care. The management of hypertension patients in South African public healthcare facilities is critically insufficient. Given that hypertension is responsible for a rising share of deaths in South Africa and many of these deaths are preventable, urgent intervention is needed.
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Besigye IK, Okuuny V, Armstrong-Hough M, Katahoire AR, Sewankambo NK, Mash R, Katamba A. Availability, functionality and access of blood pressure machines at the points of care in public primary care facilities in Tororo district, Uganda. S Afr Fam Pract (2004) 2021; 63:e1-e6. [PMID: 33567842 PMCID: PMC8294161 DOI: 10.4102/safp.v63i1.5118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early diagnosis of hypertension prevents a significant number of complications and premature deaths. In resource-variable settings, diagnosis may be limited by inadequate access to blood pressure (BP) machines. We sought to understand the availability, functionality and access of BP machines at the points of care within primary care facilities in Tororo district, Uganda. METHODS This was an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study combining a structured facility checklist and key informant interviews with primary care providers. The checklist was used to collect data on availability and functionality of BP machines within their organisational arrangements. Key informant interviews explored health providers' access to BP machines. RESULTS The majority of health facilities reported at least one working BP machine. However, Health providers described limited access to machines because they are not located at each point of care. Health providers reported borrowing amongst themselves within their respective units or from other units within the facility. Some health providers purchase and bring their own BP machines to the health facilities or attempted to restore the functionality of broken ones. They are motivated to search the clinic for BP machines for some patients but not others based on their perception of the patient's risk for hypertension. CONCLUSION Access to BP machines at the point of care was limited. This makes hypertension screening selective based on health providers' perception of the patients' risk for hypertension. Training in proper BP machine use and regular maintenance will minimise frequent breakdowns.
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Bintabara D, Ngajilo D. Readiness of health facilities for the outpatient management of non-communicable diseases in a low-resource setting: an example from a facility-based cross-sectional survey in Tanzania. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e040908. [PMID: 33177143 PMCID: PMC7661355 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed the readiness of health facilities to provide outpatient management of non-communicable diseases using a nationally representative sample of health facilities from Tanzania as an example of a low-resource country. DESIGN Facility-based cross-sectional survey. SETTING This study analysed data collected from public and private-owned dispensaries/clinics, health centres and hospitals during the 2014-2015 Tanzania Service Provision Assessment survey. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Three outcome variables are included in this study, namely readiness of facilities to provide outpatient management for diabetes, hypertension and chronic respiratory diseases. These were composite variables measured based on availability of indicators identified in the WHO-Service Availability and Readiness Assessment manual. These indicators were grouped into three domains, viz staff training and guidelines, basic diagnostic equipment and basic medicines. Readiness was measured by assessing the presence of required indicators in each of these domains. RESULTS Out of 1188 health facilities assessed, 52.1%, 64.8% and 60.9% reported providing services related to diabetes, hypertension and chronic respiratory diseases, respectively. A few facilities reported having treatment guidelines (33.2%) or staff trained to provide non-communicable disease services (10.4%). The availability of basic diagnostic equipment and medicines for these diseases was significantly lower in public lower level facilities than in their private counterparts (p<0.05). Facilities located in urban settings as well as higher level (health centre and hospitals) and publicly owned facilities were significantly associated with increased service readiness index for providing outpatient management of non-communicable diseases. CONCLUSION A fair distribution of resources through the 'push' system of refresher training, treatment guidelines, medicines and diagnostic equipment from higher authorities or other agencies may be one way of strengthening the readiness of lower level and public facilities to cope with the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in low-resource countries such as Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deogratius Bintabara
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Dorothy Ngajilo
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
- Occupational Medicine Division/Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Besigye IK, Okuuny V, Armstrong-Hough M, Katahoire AR, Sewankambo NK, Mash B, Katamba A. Availability, functionality and access of blood pressure machines at the points of care in public primary care facilities in Tororo district, Uganda. S Afr Fam Pract (2004) 2020. [DOI: 10.4102/safp.v62i1.5118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Chen S, Hall EAH. A Biosilification Fusion Protein for a ‘Self‐immobilising’ Sarcosine Oxidase Amperometric Enzyme Biosensor. ELECTROANAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.202000032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive Cambridge CB3 0AS UK
| | - Elizabeth A. H. Hall
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive Cambridge CB3 0AS UK
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Xiao M, Lei X, Zhang F, Sun Z, Harris VC, Tang X, Yan L. Home Blood Pressure Monitoring by a Mobile-Based Model in Chongqing, China: A Feasibility Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E3325. [PMID: 31509950 PMCID: PMC6765873 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16183325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Increasing attention is being paid to the role of the intelligent self-management of hypertension under the context of increasing prevalence but limited medical resources. However, heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures has hindered the interpretation of research evaluating mobile health technologies for hypertension control, and little study of such technology has been performed in China. Objective: This was a feasibility study aimed to understand patient and medical practitioners' acceptance and experience of a mobile-phone based platform for the management of hypertensive patients. Methods: The model used behavioral incentives for daily blood pressure measurement and physician-facing prioritization of patients based on level of blood-pressure control. Patients were enrolled by purposive sampling. The platform was used for two-week blood pressure monitoring through WeChat, which simulated our future app. Qualitative interviews with patients and providers were conducted in time. Results: Twenty hypertensive patients and two providers were enrolled and used the platform throughout the two weeks. Patients reported daily home blood pressure monitoring to be simple, feasible and increased their health awareness. Specifically, patients self-reported that reminders, the daily frequency and time of monitoring, and positive reinforcement were important for maintaining adherence. Providers reported that they could manage patients more quickly and accurately, but reasonable feedback information was needed to avoid excessive increases in workload. Conclusion: The adoption of mobile-based technology to monitor patient's blood pressure may provide a practical solution for managing patients in Chongqing, China. Patient health education and enhanced app functionality could improve patient compliance and satisfaction while reducing provider workload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xiao
- School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Xun Lei
- School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Fan Zhang
- School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Zhenxing Sun
- Yuzhong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400010, China.
| | - Vanessa Catherine Harris
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development and Department of Global Health University Medical Center, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Xiaojun Tang
- School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Lijing Yan
- Global Health Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan 215316, China.
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Liu H, Mohammed A, Shanthosh J, News M, Laba TL, Hackett ML, Peiris D, Jan S. Process evaluations of primary care interventions addressing chronic disease: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e025127. [PMID: 31391188 PMCID: PMC6687007 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Process evaluations (PEs) alongside randomised controlled trials of complex interventions are valuable because they address questions of for whom, how and why interventions had an impact. We synthesised the methods used in PEs of primary care interventions, and their main findings on implementation barriers and facilitators. DESIGN Systematic review using the UK Medical Research Council guidance for PE as a guide. DATA SOURCES Academic databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE and Global Health) were searched from 1998 until June 2018. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included PE alongside randomised controlled trials of primary care interventions which aimed to improve outcomes for patients with non-communicable diseases. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two independent reviewers screened and conducted the data extraction and synthesis, with a third reviewer checking a sample for quality assurance. RESULTS 69 studies were included. There was an overall lack of consistency in how PEs were conducted and reported. The main weakness is that only 30 studies were underpinned by a clear intervention theory often facilitated by the use of existing theoretical frameworks. The main strengths were robust sampling strategies, and the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data to understand an intervention's mechanisms. Findings were synthesised into three key themes: (1) a fundamental mismatch between what the intervention was designed to achieve and local needs; (2) the required roles and responsibilities of key actors were often not clearly understood; and (3) the health system context-factors such as governance, financing structures and workforce-if unanticipated could adversely impact implementation. CONCLUSION Greater consistency is needed in the reporting and the methods of PEs, in particular greater use of theoretical frameworks to inform intervention theory. More emphasis on formative research in designing interventions is needed to align the intervention with the needs of local stakeholders, and to minimise unanticipated consequences due to context-specific barriers. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42016035572.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hueiming Liu
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alim Mohammed
- The George Institute for Global Health, Hyderabad, India
| | - Janani Shanthosh
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Madeline News
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tracey-Lea Laba
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maree L Hackett
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David Peiris
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen Jan
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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The impacts of medication shortages on patient outcomes: A scoping review. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215837. [PMID: 31050671 PMCID: PMC6499468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, medication shortages have become a growing worldwide issue. This scoping review aimed to systematically synthesise the literature to report on the economic, clinical, and humanistic impacts of medication shortages on patient outcomes. Methods Medline, Embase, Global Health, PsycINFO and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched using the two key concepts of medicine shortage and patient outcomes. Articles were limited to the English language, human studies and there were no limits to the year of publication. Manuscripts included contained information regarding the shortage of a scheduled medication and had gathered data regarding the economic, clinical, and/or humanistic outcomes of drug shortages on human patients. Findings We found that drug shortages were predominantly reported to have adverse economic, clinical and humanistic outcomes to patients. Patients were more commonly reported to have increased out of pocket costs, rates of drug errors, adverse events, mortality, and complaints during times of shortage. There were also reports of equivalent and improved patient outcomes in some cases. Conclusions The results of this review provide valuable insights into the impact drug shortages have on patient outcomes. The majority of studies reported medication shortages resulted in negative patient clinical, economic and humanistic outcomes.
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Lall D, Engel N, Devadasan N, Horstman K, Criel B. Models of care for chronic conditions in low/middle-income countries: a 'best fit' framework synthesis. BMJ Glob Health 2018; 3:e001077. [PMID: 30687524 PMCID: PMC6326308 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of chronic conditions is a challenge for healthcare delivery systems world over and especially for low/middle-income countries (LMIC). Redesigning primary care to deliver quality care for chronic conditions is a need of the hour. However, much of the literature is from the experience of high-income countries. We conducted a synthesis of qualitative findings regarding care for chronic conditions at primary care facilities in LMICs. The themes identified were used to adapt the existing chronic care model (CCM) for application in an LMIC using the ‘best fit’ framework synthesis methodology. Primary qualitative research studies were systematically searched and coded using themes of the CCM. The results that could not be coded were thematically analysed to generate themes to enrich the model. Search strategy keywords were: primary health care, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, chronic disease, developing countries, low, middle-income countries and LMIC country names as classified by the World Bank. The search yielded 404 articles, 338 were excluded after reviewing abstracts. Further, 42 articles were excluded based on criteria. Twenty-four studies were included for analysis. All themes of the CCM, identified a priori, were represented in primary studies. Four additional themes for the model were identified: a focus on the quality of communication between health professionals and patients, availability of essential medicines, diagnostics and trained personnel at decentralised levels of healthcare, and mechanisms for coordination between healthcare providers. We recommend including these in the CCM to make it relevant for application in an LMIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Lall
- Health Service Research, Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru, India
| | - Nora Engel
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Klasien Horstman
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Criel
- Department of Health Financing, Institute of Tropica Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Bauer S, Wa Mwanza M, Chilengi R, Holmes CB, Zyambo Z, Furrer H, Egger M, Wandeler G, Vinikoor MJ. Awareness and management of elevated blood pressure among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in urban Zambia: a call to action. Glob Health Action 2018; 10:1359923. [PMID: 28792285 PMCID: PMC5645688 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1359923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) and hypertension (HTN), awareness of the diagnoses, and use of anti-hypertensive drugs were examined among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Zambia's capital Lusaka. Within a prospective cohort based at two public sector ART clinics, BP was measured at ART initiation and every 6 months thereafter as a routine clinic procedure. Predictors of HBP (systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg) during one year on ART were analyzed using logistic regression, and the proportion with HTN (2+ episodes of HBP >3 months apart) described. A phone survey was used to understand patient awareness of HBP, use of anti-hypertensive drugs, and history of cardiovascular events (CVE; myocardial infarction or stroke). Among 896 cohort participants, 887 (99.0%) had at least one BP measurement, 98 (10.9%) had HBP, and 57 (6.4%) had HTN. Increasing age (10-year increase in age: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.93), male sex (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.43-3.80), and overweight/obesity (AOR = 4.07; 95% CI 1.94-8.53) were associated with HBP. Among 66 patients with HBP, 35 (53.0%) reported awareness of the condition, and nine (25.7%) of these reported having had a CVE. Only 14 (21.2%) of those reached reported ever taking an anti-hypertensive drug, and one (1.5%) was currently on treatment. These data suggest that major improvements are needed in the management of HBP among HIV-infected individuals in settings such as Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Bauer
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , Bern University Hospital, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland.,b Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia , Lusaka , Zambia
| | - Mwanza Wa Mwanza
- b Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia , Lusaka , Zambia
| | - Roma Chilengi
- b Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia , Lusaka , Zambia
| | - Charles B Holmes
- b Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia , Lusaka , Zambia.,c School of Medicine , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , USA
| | - Zude Zyambo
- b Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia , Lusaka , Zambia
| | - Hansjakob Furrer
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , Bern University Hospital, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Matthias Egger
- d Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Gilles Wandeler
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , Bern University Hospital, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland.,d Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Michael J Vinikoor
- b Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia , Lusaka , Zambia.,e Department of Medicine , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , USA.,f School of Medicine , University of Zambia , Lusaka , Zambia
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