Screening and health education in barbershop centers for hypertension (SALOON-HTN)

Background

Hypertension is a major concern of public health policy in Tunisia. However hypertension is both highly prevalent (almost 35% of the Tunisian population) and insufficiently treated and controlled, which is partly due to unawareness. Historically, barbershops previously have been used for blood pressure screening and to improve hypertension controlled rate

Objective

This study aimed to screen hypertension in barbershops.

Study design

SALOON-HTN is a cross-sectional, descriptive, non-interventional, multicenter survey aiming to screen hypertension by measuring blood pressure in barbershops, located in Metline Township (limited contact with the healthcare system). Twenty-seven barbershops hairdressers were trained by a medical staff to measure the blood pressure by an ambulatory device. All subjects willing to participate in the survey were asked to measure their blood pressure after at least 5 minutes rest. Three measures were performed by the Hairdressers, with an interval of 1 minute between each measure. The mean of the last two measures was considered. If the mean blood pressure level exceeded 135 and/or 85 mmHg the subject was referred to physician.

Patients

Adults aged more than 18 years were included.

Results

A total of 1 536 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 40.7±15 years; 57% were men. Among them, 54.2% had never measured their blood pressure; 439 (28.5%) participants had hypertension, only 136 (8.9%) of those with hypertension were aware of their condition, 95 participants (69.9% of those who were aware of their condition) were receiving treatment, and hypertension was controlled in 43.2% participants of those being treated. Overall control was worst in our study (8.9%).

Conclusion

Saloon-htn confirmed the poor control and unawareness of hypertension. There is an obvious need for programs to increase access to primary care physicians.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Congenital anomalies in Tunisia: Frequency and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Despite the high risk of recurrence of congenital malformations, there are no well-accepted preventive measures in developing countries like Tunisia. It is recommended that thorough epidemiological studies of congenital anomalies in this country are needed. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency and types of congenital anomalies in Tunisia and research some risk factors associated with occurrence of these anomalies.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, all the fetuses who were autopsied during 21years period from February 1991 to December 2011 (n=9678) at Service of embryofetopathology in the Center of Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis (CMNT) were studied. The classification of malformations was based upon the anatomical system affected. The differences in fetal/maternal characteristics between cases with or without congenital malformations were assessed using Chi² test.

RESULTS

Of the all 9678 autopsied fetuses, 4498 (46.47%) were diagnosed as being malformed fetuses. Anomalies of limbs (22.71%) and digestive and abdominal wall defects (14.76%) were mostly detected, followed by congenital brain defects (13.41%) and nephrourologic abnormalities (11.23%). A marked association of parental consanguinity with increased congenital anomalies rates was found (P<10^-6, OR=1.89, CI=1.69-2.13).

CONCLUSION

In Tunisia, surveillance and epidemiological evaluation of congenital anomalies underline the high frequency of these events. This will help to better target congenital anomalies prevention and screening policies in our population.