Methods
This study was conducted in Kumarakom village Panchayat in
Kottayam district of Kerala. It was a pre and post intervention
study without a control. The baseline study was conducted in
the year 2001 among 4955 adults selected using cluster sampling
method. Each of the 12 wards of the Panchayat was
considered as a cluster. Detailed methodology of the baseline
study was published elsewhere.31 In brief, information on
demographics, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet and
self reported diabetes was collected using an interview
schedule. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight,
waist circumference) and blood pressure were measured
using standard protocol. Two blood pressure measurementsthe initiative for cardiovascular health research in developing
countries at New Delhi in Malayalam (local language) was also
shown in the training camps. A 16 page printed booklet in
local language adapted from the one that was published by the
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi was
distributed to all of them. This booklet was used as a training
material. This booklet included detailed information on the
following main sections: need for weight reduction, quitting
smoking, reducing/quitting alcohol, salt reduction, increasing
fruits and vegetable consumption, regular physical activity,
learn how to reduce stress and the importance of regular
monitoring of blood pressure. They were also given training
on the importance of regular monitoring of blood pressure and
the risk factors. The BP apparatus and the weighing scale used
for the baseline data collection were retained by the volunteers
for regular monitoring of blood pressure and weight
measurement. Blood pressure monitoring was done once in a
month. This was done particularly for those with elevated
blood pressure.
During monitoring visit, the hypertensives were requested
to regularly take the medications and to modify their life
styles as suggested in the booklet. The monitoring was done
either in the NHG meetings or at volunteers’ home since the
volunteers were residents within the ward itself. We also
trained the grass root health workers of the Panchayat such as
the Junior Public Health Nurses (JPHN), health inspectors and
Junior Health Inspectors (JHI) on the need for hypertension
control. The doctors in the PHC of the Panchayat were also
requested to support this program and procure antihypertensive
medicines through the Panchayat funds. One of the
investigators of the project was the Professor of Cardiology in
the nearby Medical College (A K). The volunteers were
instructed to refer uncontrolled hypertensive patients either
to the PHC or to the nearest Medical College.
Other than the training expenditure no monitory incentive
was given to the volunteers. However, the recognition given
by the Panchayat and the local people was reported as a great
incentive by the volunteers. The monitoring of blood pressure
was done in the neighborhood group which used to meet once
a month in one of the homes of the group members at a
particular time. If anyone could not attend, either the volunteer
visited the hypertensive individual or s/he visited the
volunteer’s house.
Based on the feedback from the participants during the
training program, we focused on specific interventions such
as reduction of salt intake and taking regular medication in
controlling hypertension.
In our intervention program, we used a combination of
population based strategies and individual high risk strategies
for the control of hypertension. The population strategies
used a series of health education classes focusing on the need
for controlling hypertension and their risk factors by prominent
professors of cardiology and public health of the neighboring
Medical College and from the Sree Chitra Tirunal
Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST),
Trivandrum. The individual high risk strategy used stressing
the need for regular medication, regular blood pressure
checks up and reducing risk factors. This was done during
survey, during physical measurements and during monitoring
of blood pressure. A copy of the education booklet was also
given to those who had elevated blood pressure. We did not
provide any drugs for hypertension. However, we encouraged
the hypertensives to take regular medication from the PHC or
nearby hospitals.
There was a trained field level coordinator selected by the
Panchayat who monitored the intervention activities regularly.
The overall supervision of the project was done by a
trained public health doctor coordinator from SCTIMST along
with the field coordinator located in the Panchayat. The
Principal Investigator (KRT) of the project and a trained public
health doctor attended Panchayat level meeting of the ward
members once in six months as special invitees. During these
meetings progress of the hypertension detection, monitoring
and the involvement of the volunteers, availability of antihypertensive
drugs in the PHCs were discussed. On the same
day, the principal investigator and the trained public health
doctor used to meet the volunteers in their house or at the
Panchayat.
2.2. Post intervention survey
A repeat survey was conducted in 2007 in the same Panchayat
area selected by cluster sampling technique. Each ward was
treated as a cluster similar to the baseline survey. From each of
the 12 wards it was decided to survey 250 individuals (125
males and 125 females) in the age group of 25e74 years. Instructions
were given to the volunteers to select approximately
500 individuals (males 250) from each 10 year age group of
25e74 years as per the WHO STEPS guidelines.32 We collected
data from 2517 individuals above the age of 30 years. The
interview schedule used for the post intervention survey was
the same as that of the baseline survey. All the measurement
tools were same for baseline and post intervention surveys.
2.3. Ethical clearance
Ethical clearance for this study was obtained from the Institutional
Ethics Committee of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of
Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST), Trivandrum.
Informed written consent was obtained from all the
participants.
Data analysis was performed using SPSS (version 17.0; SPSS
Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Analysis was restricted to 4627 individuals
from the baseline survey and 2263 individuals from
the post intervention survey for comparative age group. Both
bivariate and multivariate techniques were used for analysis
of data. Age adjusted hypertension prevalence was estimated
in the post intervention survey based on the baseline age
distribution. Hypertension awareness (reported history of
hypertension), treatment (on medication for hypertension)
and control (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic
blood pressure <90 mmHg) were also studied using the two
survey results by analyzing the changes. Chi-square test for
proportion and t-test for means were used to determine the
difference between the groups in bivariate analysis. In order to
determine the adjusted effect, stepwise logistic regression
models were used, separately for awareness, treatment and
control of hypertension. Baseline to post intervention changes
were modelled with survey year as dummy variable with
interaction terms added in the model.
were obtained initially in a seated position, and if there was a
difference of more than 10mmHg either in systolic or diastolic
blood pressure between the initial readings, a third measurement
was obtained and the average of two or more
readings was taken as the final value. Information on awareness
and treatment of hypertension was also collected.
2.1. Intervention program
Two volunteers from each of the 12 wards of the village Panchayat
were selected for the baseline survey by the elected
representative of the ward based on a criteria including minimumeducational
qualification of 12 years of schooling. Except
two, all the volunteers selected werewomen. These volunteers
were trained to collect the data using the interview schedule
and take anthropometric measurements and blood pressure
using sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. An Omron electronic
blood pressure apparatus was also used during the
training program to enhance the quality of blood pressure
measurement using sphygmomanometer. If any of the trainees
was not sure of the blood pressure reading, s/he used the electronic
blood pressure apparatus to cross check the readings.
After the baseline survey, the volunteers were given
training for interventions along with 12 health workers from
the primary health centre (PHC) of the village Panchayat, 18
Anganwadi workers (grass root level workers of social welfare
department for child care, adolescent care and care of the
elderly) and 12 elected ward members of the Panchayat. The
volunteers belonged to the neighborhood groups (NHG) and
had the support of the Panchayat and organizations like self
help groups (SHGs). A video film on heart health produced by
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