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Majumdar U, Nanyonga Clarke R, Moran AE, Doupe P, Gadikota-Klumpers DD, Gidio A, Ssentamu D, Heller DJ. Hypertension screening, prevalence, treatment, and control at a large private hospital in Kampala, Uganda: A retrospective analysis. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000386. [PMID: 36962239 PMCID: PMC10021338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adult hypertension prevalence in Uganda is 27%, but only 8% are aware of their diagnosis, accordingly treatment and control levels are limited. The private sector provides at least half of care nationwide, but little is known about its effectiveness in hypertension control. We analyzed clinical data from 39 235 outpatient visits among 17 777 adult patients from July 2017 to August 2018 at Uganda's largest private hospital. We calculated blood pressure screening rate at every visit, and hypertension prevalence, medication treatment, and control rates among the 5 090 patients with two or more blood pressure checks who received any medications from the hospital's pharmacy. We defined hypertension in this group as 1) an average of two blood pressure measurements at separate consecutive visits, higher than 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic, 2) receipt of any antihypertensive medication, or 3) the use of a hypertension electronic medical record code. We deemed hypertension control as normotensive at the most recent check. 12 821 (72.1%) of patients received at least 1 blood pressure check. Among the 5 090 patients above, 2 121 (41.6%) had hypertension (33.4% age-standardized to a world population standard): 1 915 (37.6%) with elevated blood pressure, and 170 (3.3%) were normotensive but receiving medication. 838 (39.4%) of patients with hypertension received medication at least once. Overall, 18.3% of patients achieved control (27% of treated patients, and 15% of untreated patients). Hypertension is common and incompletely controlled in this Ugandan private-sector population, suggesting several avenues for novel interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usnish Majumdar
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Arnhold Institute for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Andrew E Moran
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Darinka D Gadikota-Klumpers
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Agaba Gidio
- Clarke International University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - David J Heller
- Arnhold Institute for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
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Wilkinson R, Garden E, Nanyonga RC, Squires A, Nakaggwa F, Schwartz JI, Heller DJ. Causes of medication non-adherence and the acceptability of support strategies for people with hypertension in Uganda: A qualitative study. Int J Nurs Stud 2021; 126:104143. [PMID: 34953374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease in Uganda and its prevalence is predicted to grow substantially over the next several years. Rates of hypertension control remain suboptimal, however, due in part to poor medication adherence. There is a significant need to better understand the drivers of poor medication adherence for patients with non-communicable diseases and to implement appropriate interventions to improve adherence. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, this study sought to understand what factors support or undermine patients' efforts to adhere to their hypertensive medications at baseline. Second, this study sought to explore the acceptability and feasibility of adherence interventions to both providers and patients. METHODS This study was conducted at a large, urban private hospital in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted key informant interviews with both providers and patients. We explored their beliefs about the causes of medication non-adherence while examining the acceptability of support strategies validated in similar contexts, such as: daily text reminders, educational materials on hypertension, monthly group meetings (i.e. "adherence clubs") led by patients or providers, one-on-one appointments with providers, and modified drug dispensing at the hospital pharmacy. STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS Fifteen healthcare providers and forty-two patients were interviewed. All interviews were transcribed, and these transcripts were analyzed using the NVIVO software. We utilized a conventional content analysis approach informed by the Health Belief Model. RESULTS Of the proposed interventions, participants expressed particularly strong interest in adherence clubs and educational materials. Participants drew connections between these interventions and previously underexplored drivers of non-adherence, which included the lack of symptoms from untreated hypertension, fear of medication side effects, interest in traditional herbal medicine, and the importance of family and community support. CONCLUSIONS Both providers and patients at the facility recognized medication non-adherence as a major barrier to hypertension control and expressed interest in improving adherence through interventions that addressed context-specific barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Wilkinson
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Evan Garden
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Rose Clarke Nanyonga
- Clarke International University, Kawagga Close, off Kalungi Road, Muyenga Block 244, Plot 8244 Bukasa Kyadondo, P.O.Box 7782, Kampala Uganda
| | - Allison Squires
- NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 1st Avenue New York, NY 10010 USA
| | - Florence Nakaggwa
- Clarke International University, Kawagga Close, off Kalungi Road, Muyenga Block 244, Plot 8244 Bukasa Kyadondo, P.O.Box 7782, Kampala Uganda
| | | | - David J Heller
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA.
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Klingberg S, Adhikari B, Draper CE, Bosire EN, Tiigah P, Nyirenda D, Mukumbang FC. Engaging communities in non-communicable disease research and interventions in low- and middle-income countries: a realist review protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050632. [PMID: 34290072 PMCID: PMC8296813 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Engaging communities and intended beneficiaries at various stages of health research is a recommended practice. The contribution of community engagement to non-communicable disease research in low- and middle-income countries has not yet been extensively studied or synthesised. This protocol describes the steps towards generating an understanding of community engagement in the context of non-communicable disease research, prevention and health promotion using a realist review approach. A realist lens enables a rich explanatory approach to causation while capturing complexity, and an openness to multiple outcomes, including unintended consequences. The review will thus develop an understanding of community engagement without assuming that such practices result in more ethical research or effective interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We propose a realist approach aiming to examine how, why, under what circumstances and for whom community engagement works or does not work. The iterative review steps include clarifying the review scope; searching for evidence; appraising studies and extracting data; synthesising evidence and drawing conclusions; and disseminating, implementing and evaluating the findings. Principles of meta-narrative review (pragmatism, pluralism, historicity, contestation, reflexivity and peer review) are employed to ensure practicable and contextualised review outputs. The proposed review will draw on theoretical and empirical literature beyond specific diseases or settings, but with a focus on informing non-communicable disease research and interventions in low- and middle-income countries. The synthesis of existing literature will be complemented by qualitative realist interviews and stakeholder consultation. Through drawing on multiple types of evidence and input from both experts and intended beneficiaries, the review will provide critical and pragmatic insights for research and community engagement in low- and middle-income countries. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand. Dissemination will include traditional academic channels, institutional communications, social media and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Klingberg
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bipin Adhikari
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Catherine E Draper
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Edna N Bosire
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Priscilla Tiigah
- Health Equity and Strategy Unit, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Deborah Nyirenda
- Community Engagement and Bioethics, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
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Luo A, Xin Z, Yuan Y, Wen T, Xie W, Zhong Z, Peng X, Ouyang W, Hu C, Liu F, Chen Y, He H. Multidimensional Feature Classification of the Health Information Needs of Patients With Hypertension in an Online Health Community Through Analysis of 1000 Patient Question Records: Observational Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e17349. [PMID: 32469318 PMCID: PMC7293056 DOI: 10.2196/17349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the rapid development of online health communities, increasing numbers of patients and families are seeking health information on the internet. Objective This study aimed to discuss how to fully reveal the health information needs expressed by patients with hypertension in their questions in a web-based environment and how to use the internet to help patients with hypertension receive personalized health education. Methods This study randomly selected 1000 text records from the question data of patients with hypertension from 2008 to 2018 collected from Good Doctor Online and constructed a classification system through literature research and content analysis. This paper identified the background characteristics and questioning intention of each patient with hypertension based on the patient’s question and used co-occurrence network analysis and the k-means clustering method to explore the features of the health information needs of patients with hypertension. Results The classification system for the health information needs of patients with hypertension included the following nine dimensions: drugs (355 names), symptoms and signs (395 names), tests and examinations (545 names), demographic data (526 kinds), diseases (80 names), risk factors (37 names), emotions (43 kinds), lifestyles (6 kinds), and questions (49 kinds). There were several characteristics of the explored web-based health information needs of patients with hypertension. First, more than 49% of patients described features, such as drugs, symptoms and signs, tests and examinations, demographic data, and diseases. Second, patients with hypertension were most concerned about treatment (778/1000, 77.80%), followed by diagnosis (323/1000, 32.30%). Third, 65.80% (658/1000) of patients asked physicians several questions at the same time. Moreover, 28.30% (283/1000) of patients were very concerned about how to adjust the medication, and they asked other treatment-related questions at the same time, including drug side effects, whether to take the drugs, how to treat the disease, etc. Furthermore, 17.60% (176/1000) of patients consulted physicians about the causes of clinical findings, including the relationship between the clinical findings and a disease, the treatment of a disease, and medications and examinations. Fourth, by k-means clustering, the questioning intentions of patients with hypertension were classified into the following seven categories: “how to adjust medication,” “what to do,” “how to treat,” “phenomenon explanation,” “test and examination,” “disease diagnosis,” and “disease prognosis.” Conclusions In a web-based environment, the health information needs expressed by Chinese patients with hypertension to physicians are common and distinct, that is, patients with different background features ask relatively common questions to physicians. The classification system constructed in this study can provide guidance to health information service providers for the construction of web-based health resources, as well as guidance for patient education, which could help solve the problem of information asymmetry in communication between physicians and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijing Luo
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Zirui Xin
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yifeng Yuan
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tingxiao Wen
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenzhao Xie
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuqing Zhong
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoqing Peng
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Ouyang
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Information and Network Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Liu
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Chen
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haiyan He
- The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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