Delivering hypertension care in private-sector clinics of urban slum areas of India: the Mumbai Hypertension Project

Health financing interventions and hypertension control: a narrative review and hypothetical model

Financial incentives have been used extensively in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) to improve health and service coverage. Little is known about their effectiveness in improving hypertension outcomes. We conducted a narrative literature review to document features of select supply-side (pay-for-performance, capitation) and demand-side [conditional cash transfers (CCT), vouchers] financing interventions focused on improving hypertension outcomes in primary care settings. Our review confirmed the paucity of studies, especially from LMICs. Pay-for-performance and capitation had small effects on screening, prescription practices, and blood pressure (BP) control. CCTs had mixed effects on screening and modest effects on BP control. Information on causal pathways, unintended consequences, and the use of vouchers was sparse. We then developed a conceptual model identifying pathways through which financing interventions influence hypertension outcomes. Based on this model, simulations in the context of Bangladesh indicated that pay-for-performance demands substantial financial resources but could become more favorable with increased treatment coverage.

Private provider practices and incentives for hypertension management in rural and peri-urban Telangana, India- a qualitative study

Hypertension poses a critical threat to health in India, being the predominant risk factor for mortality and disability. With over 70% of outpatient care being provided by the private sector, our study investigated the practices and incentives of private health providers in screening, diagnosing, treating, monitoring, and counseling hypertension patients in rural and peri-urban India. Conducted from April 2020 to February 2021, the qualitative study involved 46 participants, including various healthcare professionals and patients in three Telangana state districts. Analysis revealed a lack of recognition of hypertension's gravity among private providers in these areas, leading to inconsistent screening practices and varied diagnostic thresholds, particularly among rural medical practitioners. Both formal and informal providers lacked standardized protocols and follow-up mechanisms, with limited technical knowledge about hypertension observed, especially among rural practitioners who were often the first point of contact. Drug effectiveness, and incentives from pharmaceutical sales representatives influenced prescribing practices. Diagnostic labs also offered financial incentives for patient referrals. Thus, aligning providers' objectives with patient preferences and public health goals is crucial. To encourage evidence-based hypertension care, the government and NGOs could implement strategies such as tailored incentives, financial rewards, tax benefits, accreditation, and recognition for private healthcare providers. Professional bodies in the private sector should establish programs emphasizing quality assurance and certifications. Future research should focus on designing and testing new models for private sector hypertension service delivery, coupled with targeted interventions to enhance care in rural and peri-urban settings.

Effectiveness of m-health technology-enabled physical activity program on physical activity adoption and adherence in people with hypertension in India: A randomized controlled trial protocol

Background

Exercise and medication have similar benefits in reducing blood pressure (BP); however, hypertension management initiatives primarily focus on medicines. This is due to scarce research on the effectiveness of implementation strategies for optimal exercise adoption and adherence. Smartphones were found to be effective in delivering hypertension care and increase exercise adherence. Despite this, only a small number of research projects in India have used smartphones as a strategy for managing hypertension.

Methods

We hypothesized that smartphone application-based care would lead to higher exercise adherence among adults (30-79 years) with hypertension compared to those who receive usual care. It will be a multicentric, randomized controlled, parallel-design, superiority clinical trial. The outcome assessor and data analyst will be blinded to group allocation. Participants in the intervention group will receive mobile application-based care for 6 weeks. Participants in the usual care group will receive a standard intervention. Both groups will receive the same number of follow-ups.

Results

The primary outcome is the difference in the proportion of people adherent to the recommended level of physical activity evaluated using an exercise adherence rating scale in the intervention group and the control group. Exercise adoption will be measured as the percentage of eligible participants in each study setting willing to initiate the exercise program. The secondary outcome includes differences in systolic and diastolic BP and self-management (evaluated using the Hypertension Self-Care Profile). The trial outcome will be accompanied by a process evaluation.

Conclusions

This research will inform about the comparative effectiveness of conventional and m-health interventions for exercise adoption and adherence in people with hypertension in resource-constrained settings.

Impact of community health workers on improving identification and primary care of hypertension among the urban poor - findings from Chhattisgarh state of India

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a major health problem globally and in India. Around 60% of people with hypertension in India are not aware that they have the condition. Less than 30% of individuals with hypertension are on treatment. Existing studies have indicated that community health workers (CHWs) can play a useful role in expanding the care for hypertension. Evaluations are needed to study the impact when an intervention is implemented by the government in its existing large-scale CHW programme to improve the identification, regular follow-up and medication adherence for hypertension.

METHODS

Chhattisgarh state implemented a pilot intervention to improve screening and follow-up for hypertension by equipping Mitanin-CHWs to measure blood pressure (BP). The study design involved an intervention-group and a comparison-group of urban slum population. The survey covered 5974 individuals (30-79 years age) in intervention-group and 5131 in comparison-group. Multivariate analysis was conducted to find out the effect of intervention on the desired outcomes.

RESULTS

In intervention-group, 80.2% of the individuals (30-79 years age) had been screened for hypertension whereas the proportion was 37.9% in comparison-group. For 47.0% of individuals in intervention-group, Mitanin CHW was the provider who measured BP for the first time. Around 16.3% of individuals in intervention-group and 9.5% in comparison-group had been diagnosed with hypertension. Around 85.9% of hypertension cases in intervention-group and 77.0% in comparison-group were on treatment. BP had been measured in preceding 30 days for 81.8% of hypertension-cases in intervention-group and 64.3% in comparison-group. Around 70.3% of hypertension-cases in intervention-group and 55.1% in comparison-group had taken their complete medication for last seven days. Multivariate analysis showed that CHW intervention was associated significantly with improvements in all the desired outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Equipping the CHWs to measure BP was effective in increasing the screening and identification of hypertension, regular measurement of BP of individuals with hypertension and the adherence to medication. This shows the potential if the one-million strong work-force of Accredited-Social-Health-Activists (ASHA) CHWs in India gets equipped for this role. Governments need to provide a stronger policy push to get this materialised.

Empowering Communities: A Review of Community-Based Outreach Programs in Controlling Hypertension in India

India's epidemiological shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) signifies the impact of healthcare advancements and changing lifestyles. Despite declines in infectious diseases, challenges related to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have risen. Approximately one in four Indian adults has hypertension, with only 12% maintaining controlled blood pressure. To meet the 25% relative reduction target in hypertension prevalence by 2025, India must enhance treatment access and public health initiatives. A global report underscores the urgency of preventing, detecting, and managing hypertension, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India, where 188.3 million adults are estimated to have hypertension. Loss to follow-up persists in both communicable and non-communicable diseases, driven by factors such as stigma and socioeconomic barriers. Community outreach programs have proven effective, incorporating mobile health interventions, community health worker engagement, and door-to-door screenings. Hypertension management faces similar challenges, with community outreach tailored to lifestyle factors and cultural beliefs showing promise. The comprehensive strategy to control hypertension involves strengthening primary healthcare centers, promoting wellness centers, and capacitating Community Health Officers. While community-led, tech-enabled private sector interventions can screen and manage NCDs, integration with the public health system is crucial for widespread adoption and cost-effectiveness. In conclusion, tailored strategies, such as community outreach integrated into healthcare systems, are essential to address loss to follow-up and enhance health management success in both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Outcomes of a hypertension care program based on task-sharing with private pharmacies: a retrospective study from two blocks in rural India

Low density of formal care providers in rural India results in restricted and delayed access to standardized management of hypertension. Task-sharing with pharmacies, typically the first point of contact for rural populations, can bridge the gap in access to formal care and improve health outcomes. In this study, we implemented a hypertension care program involving task-sharing with twenty private pharmacies between November 2020 and April 2021 in two blocks of Bihar, India. Pharmacists conducted free hypertension screening, and a trained physician offered free consultations at the pharmacy. We calculated the number of subjects screened, initiated on treatment (enrolled) and the change in blood pressure using the data collected through the program application. Of the 3403 subjects screened at pharmacies, 1415 either reported having a history of hypertension or had elevated blood pressure during screening. Of these, 371 (26.22%) were enrolled in the program. Of these, 129 (34.8%) made at least one follow-up visit. For these subjects, the adjusted average difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the screening and follow-up visits was -11.53 (-16.95 to -6.11, 95% CI) and -4.68 (-8.53 to -0.82, 95% CI) mmHg, respectively. The adjusted odds of blood pressure being under control in this group during follow-up visits compared to screening visit was 7.07 (1.29 to 12.85, 95% CI). Task-sharing with private pharmacies can lead to early detection and improved control of blood pressure in a resource-constrained setting. Additional strategies to increase patient screening and retention rates are needed to ensure sustained health benefits.

Hypertension control rate in India: systematic review and meta-analysis of population-level non-interventional studies, 2001-2022

Background

Hypertension is a significant contributor to mortality in India. Achieving better hypertension control rate at the population level is critical in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Methods

Hypertension control rate was defined as the proportion of patients with their blood pressure under control (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based, non-interventional studies published after 2001 that reported hypertension control rates. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, and grey literature, and extracted data using a common framework, and summarized the study characteristics. We conducted random-effects meta-analysis using untransformed hypertension control rates and reported the overall summary estimates and subgroup estimates of control rates as percentages and 95% confidence intervals. We also conducted mixed-effects meta-regression with sex, region, and study period as covariates. The risk of bias was assessed, and level of evidence was summarized using SIGN-50 methodology. The protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021267973.

Findings

The systematic review included 51 studies (n = 338,313 hypertensive patients). 21 studies (41%) reported poorer control rates among males than females, and six studies (12%) reported poorer control rates among rural patients. The pooled hypertension control rate in India during 2001-2020 was 17.5% (95% CI: 14.3%-20.6%)-with significant increase over the years, reaching 22.5% (CI: 16.9-28.0%) in 2016-2020. Sub-group analysis showed significantly better control rates in the South and West regions, and significantly poorer control rates among males. Very few studies reported data on social determinants or lifestyle risk factors.

Interpretation

Less than one-fourth of hypertensive patients in India had their blood pressure under control during 2016-2020. Although the control rate has improved compared to previous years, substantial differences exist across regions. Very few studies have examined the lifestyle risk factors and social determinants relevant to hypertension control in India. The country needs to develop and evaluate sustainable, community-based strategies and programs to improve hypertension control rates.

Funding

Not applicable.

A Scoping Review of Interventions for Prevention and Control of Hypertension in India

SUMMARY

In India, hypertension (HTN) is a raging public health problem and demands contextualized strategies to combat it. However, there is a gap in indigenous research output on interventions related to HTN that work in the Indian context. We aimed to identify, describe, and systematically compile context-derived evidence for the prevention and control of HTN in adults in India across the community, health-care organization, and health policy domains by reviewing papers published over the past 10 years (January 2013-December 2022). Our goal was to prepare a ready-reckoner document that could serve as a baseline critique for HTN researchers, policymakers, and program managers for planning their respective courses of action. We searched for relevant literature published between January 2013 and December 2022, indexed in PubMed and Web-of-Science. We extracted information using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist and used the Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions Framework for analysis and reporting. Only 33 articles emerged as "eligible." The papers focused on community (39.4%), health-care organization (36.4%), and multi-domain (24.2%) strategies. Majority (69.7%) reported HTN control as an indicator to assess intervention effectiveness. Original research from India on HTN interventions is sparse. Thus, there is a need to promote research activities and publications that generate evidence for action in alignment with provisions and priorities of existing programs and policies, and with a focus on scalability and sustainability. Consequently, we call for increased attention to implementation science and research for HTN combat in India.