Shashi Mawar
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Title: Effect of a community based nurse led program on management of hypertension among geriatric population in an urban community of Delhi
Biography
Biography: Shashi Mawar
Abstract
Introduction: Hypertension exerts a substantial public health burden on cardiovascular health status and health care system in India. It has been estimated that among adults>50 years of age, the lifetime risk of developing hypertension approaches 90%. BP is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated among elderly therefore a community based screening followed by a nurse-led BP control program was taken up.
Methods: A cross sectional survey was done to assess the prevalence of hypertension among 1386 elderly. Quasi experimental design was created to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led program on management of hypertension. Purposive sampling adopted to enroll 378 hypertensive patients. Study group and control group were divided on the basis of blocks. Community based nurse-led program is a holistic program covering life style modification, stress management, dietary modification, physical activity and medication adherence.
Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.6% with 31% among males and 36% among females. Mean age was 64.5 years. Both groups were homogenous with respect to all risk factors at baseline. There was a significant difference in SBP at 6 months p=0.04 (95%, CI: 0.04-4.01) and one year p<0.001 (95%, CI: 2.4-5.9) among study group subjects. Mean BP reduced by 6 mmHg at the end of one year among study group. Significant difference in total cholesterol, TGL and VLDL levels was also found. Mean reduction of 13.1 mg/dl in total cholesterol among study group p=0.003 (95%, CI: 2.3-11.6)
Conclusion: Community based nurse-led program is effective in managing BP.