Community Health Workers Improve Linkage to Hypertension Care in Western Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the leading global risk factor for mortality. Delay in seeking hypertension care is associated with increased mortality.

Objectives

This study investigated whether community health workers, equipped with behavioral communication strategies and smartphone technology, can increase linkage of individuals with elevated BP to a hypertension care program in western Kenya and significantly reduce BP.

Methods

The study was a cluster randomized trial with 3 arms: 1) usual care (standard training); 2) "paper-based" (tailored behavioral communication, using paper-based tools); and 3) "smartphone" (tailored behavioral communication, using smartphone technology). The co-primary outcomes were: 1) linkage to care; and 2) change in systolic

SUBMITTER: Vedanthan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6788970 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature