Scaling a Community-Wide Campaign Intervention to Manage Hypertension and Weight Loss

The cross-sectional association between lifestyle behaviors and breast and cervical cancer screening among Hispanic women along the Texas-Mexico border

Objective

Lifestyle behaviors may influence timely cancer screening, but their relationship is unknown among Hispanic women who have low cancer screening rates.

Methods

We used Cameron County Hispanic Cohort data from 2014 to 2022 to evaluate the relationship between lifestyle and compliance with mammography and Papanicolaou (Pap) screening guidelines ("up-to-date") among Hispanic women along the Texas-Mexico border. The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund scoring system characterized cancer-preventive lifestyle adherence. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between lifestyle behaviors and mammography and, separately, Pap screening.

Results

Among 385 age-eligible women for mammography and 412 age-eligible women for Pap test screening, up-to-date mammography and Pap screening were seen in 66.7 % (95 % CI: 58.8-73.7 %) and 71.4 % (95 % CI: 63.6-78.0 %) of women, respectively. Compared to non-adherence, adherence to waist circumference (AOR adjusted odds ratio 9.1, 95 % CI: 1.1-77.9; P = 0.04) and alcohol guidelines (AOR 9.4, 95 % CI: 1.1-81.6; P = 0.04) were associated with up-to-date mammography. Consumption guideline adherence to fruit and vegetable (AOR 4.0, 95 % CI: 1.2-13.4; P = 0.03), ultra-processed foods (AOR 7.5, 95 % CI: 1.6-34.7; P = 0.01), red meat (AOR 6.8, 95 % CI: 1.3-34.8; P = 0.02), and sugary beverages (AOR 16.9, 95 % CI: 2.1-138.4; P = 0.01) were associated with up-to-date Pap screening.

Conclusions

Differential factors were associated with increased odds of being up-to-date with mammography versus Pap test screening. Lifestyle behavior promotion complements cancer prevention interventions. Contextual insight into the association between lifestyle and cancer screening provides a foundation for future endeavors to augment these two core components of cancer prevention to address Hispanic women's rising breast and cervical cancer risk.

Cost-Effectiveness of Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Youth With Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND

Intensive blood pressure (BP) control in youth with chronic kidney disease (CKD) slows progression, delaying the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Most youth with CKD have hypertension and BP control is difficult to achieve outside of controlled experimental settings. Implementing effective BP control strategies in this population may be cost-saving despite requiring additional resources. Our objective was to determine the economic and clinical impact of intensive versus usual care for BP management in youth with CKD in a microeconomic model.

METHODS

We developed a decision tree from the US payer perspective to estimate the total costs and clinical effect of an intensified BP intervention over 5 years, modeled after the ESCAPE trial (Effect of Strict Blood Pressure Control and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme [ACE] Inhibition on Progression of Chronic Renal Failure in Pediatric Patients) protocol. We compared this intervention to usual care in a hypothetical population of youth with mild-to-moderate CKD. Probabilities were informed by published literature; cost estimates were informed by publicly available data. Our outcomes were the net discounted cost of an intensive BP intervention, number needed to treat with the intervention to prevent 1 KRT episode, and incremental cost per KRT episode avoided.

RESULTS

An intensive BP intervention, with a goal of an average 24-hour mean arterial pressure <50th percentile, improved outcomes with net cost savings of $9440 per participant over 5 years compared with usual care. To prevent 1 episode of KRT over 5 years, 13 participants need to receive intensive BP intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine use of the ESCAPE protocol for intensive BP control in youth with CKD could save overall costs for the payer and improve clinical outcomes.

Lay advisor interventions for hypertension outcomes: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and a RE-AIM evaluation

Introduction

Lay advisor interventions improve hypertension outcomes; however, the added benefits and relevant factors for their widespread implementation into health systems are unknown. We performed a systematic review to: (1) summarize the benefits of adding lay advisors to interventions on hypertension outcomes, and (2) summarize factors associated with successful implementation in health systems using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Methods

We systematically searched several databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO from January 1981 to May 2023. All study designs of interventions delivered solely by lay advisors for adults with hypertension were eligible. If both arms received the lay advisor intervention, the study arm with lower intensity was assigned as the low-intensity intervention.

Results

We included 41 articles, of which 22 were RCTs, from 7,267 screened citations. Studies predominantly included socially disadvantaged populations. Meta-analysis (9 RCTs; n = 4,220) of eligible lay advisor interventions reporting outcomes showed improved systolic blood pressure (BP) [-3.72 mm Hg (CI -6.1 to -1.3; I2 88%)], and diastolic BP [-1.7 mm Hg (CI -1 to -0.9; I2 7%)] compared to control group. Pooled effect from six RCTs (n = 3,277) comparing high-intensity with low-intensity lay advisor interventions showed improved systolic BP of -3.6 mm Hg (CI -6.7 to -0.5; I2 82.7%) and improved diastolic BP of -2.1 mm Hg (CI -3.7 to -0.4; I2 70.9%) with high-intensity interventions. No significant difference in pooled odds of hypertension control was noted between lay advisor intervention and control groups, or between high-intensity and low-intensity intervention groups. Most studies used multicomponent interventions with no stepped care elements or reporting of efficacious components. Indicators of external validity (adoption, implementation, maintenance) were infrequently reported.

Discussion

Lay advisor interventions improve hypertension outcomes, with high intensity interventions having a greater impact. Further studies need to identify successful intervention and implementation factors of multicomponent interventions for stepped upscaling within healthcare system settings as well as factors used to help sustain interventions.

Workplace-based primary prevention intervention reduces incidence of hypertension: a post hoc analysis of cluster randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

A workplace-based primary prevention intervention be an effective approach to reducing the incidence of hypertension (HTN). However, few studies to date have addressed the effect among the Chinese working population. We assessed the effect of a workplace-based multicomponent prevention interventions program for cardiovascular disease on reducing the occurrence of HTN through encouraging employees to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

METHODS

In this post hoc analysis of cluster randomized controlled study, 60 workplaces across 20 urban regions in China were randomized to either the intervention group (n = 40) or control group (n = 20). All employees in each workplace were asked to complete a baseline survey after randomization for obtaining sociodemographic information, health status, lifestyle, etc. Employees in the intervention group were given a 2-year workplace-based primary prevention intervention program for improving their cardiovascular health, including (1) cardiovascular health education, (2) a reasonable diet, (3) tobacco cessation, (4) physical environment promotion, (5) physical activity, (6) stress management, and (7) health screening. The primary outcome was the incidence of HTN, and the secondary outcomes were improvements of blood pressure (BP) levels and lifestyle factors from baseline to 24 months. A mix effect model was used to assess the intervention effect at the end of the intervention in the two groups.

RESULTS

Overall, 24,396 participants (18,170 in the intervention group and 6,226 in the control group) were included (mean [standard deviation] age, 39.3 [9.1] years; 14,727 men [60.4%]). After 24 months of the intervention, the incidence of HTN was 8.0% in the intervention groups and 9.6% in the control groups [relative risk (RR) = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.58 ~ 0.76, P < 0.001]. The intervention effect was significant on systolic BP (SBP) level (β =  - 0.7 mm Hg, 95% CI, - 1.06 ~  - 0.35; P < 0.001) and on diastolic BP (DBP) level (β =  - 1.0 mm Hg, 95% CI, - 1.31 ~  - 0.76; P < 0.001). Moreover, greater improvements were reported in the rates of regular exercise [odd ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% CI, 1.28 ~ 1.50; P < 0.001], excessive intake of fatty food (OR = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.50 ~ 0.59; P < 0.001), and restrictive use of salt (OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.09 ~ 1.36; P = 0.001) in intervention groups. People with a deteriorating lifestyle had higher rates of developing HTN than those with the same or improved lifestyle. Subgroup analysis showed that the intervention effect of BP on employees with educational attainment of high school above (SBP: β =  - 1.38/ - 0.76 mm Hg, P < 0.05; DBP: β =  - 2.26/ - 0.75 mm Hg, P < 0.001), manual labor workers and administrative worker (SBP: β =  - 1.04/ - 1.66 mm Hg, P < 0.05; DBP: β =  - 1.85/ - 0.40 mm Hg, P < 0.05), and employees from a workplace with an affiliated hospital (SBP: β =  - 2.63 mm Hg, P < 0.001; DBP: β =  - 1.93 mm Hg, P < 0.001) were significantly in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

This post hoc analysis found that workplace-based primary prevention interventions program for cardiovascular disease were effective in promoting healthy lifestyle and reducing the incidence of HTN among employees.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No. ChiCTR-ECS-14004641.

Participant engagement in a community health worker-delivered intervention and type 2 diabetes clinical outcomes: a quasiexperimental study in MexicanAmericans

OBJECTIVES

This study helps to fill the existing research gap related to participant engagement in behavioural interventions and diabetes management. We examined type 2 diabetes control over time among Mexican Americans by level of engagement in a chronic care management (CCM) program that included community health worker (CHW)-delivered multilevel interventions. The programme complemented clinical care and promoted behaviour changes to improve diabetes self-management.

DESIGN

Quasiexperimental study.

SETTING

The study was implemented in the Rio Grande Valley region in the USA. Recruitment was conducted in clinics and community events. All other visits were provided in participant homes and community locations.

PARTICIPANTS

5649 adults (aged ≥18 years) with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes who enrolled in a community-delivered CCM programme between September 2013 and 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

The intervention comprised two components: CHW home visits conducted every 3 months and diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes provided in community locations.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measured at baseline every 3 months for up to 24 months. We first examined changes in HbA1c levels over time. The number of completed CHW and DSME encounters was used to classify participants into engagement groups-high engagement defined as ≥10 encounters (n=2952); low engagement defined as 1-9 encounters (n=2697). We used univariable and multivariable longitudinal linear regression models with a generalised estimating equation method. We tested interactions between engagement groups and time.

RESULTS

Participants' mean HbA1c decreased from 10.20% at baseline to 8.93% (p<0.0001) at 3 months, remaining stable thereafter. Changes in HbA1c were statistically different between the engagement groups. High engagement participants had lower HbA1c levels over the first 15 months of the follow-up period compared with low engagement participants, as compared at 3 months (-0.44%, 95% CI -0.57% to -0.31%; p<0.0001), 6 months (-0.31%, 95% CI -0.43% to -0.14%; p<0.0001), 9 months (-0.27%, 95% CI -0.42% to -0.13%; p=0.0001), 12 months (-0.23%, 95% CI -0.37% to -0.08%; p=0.0025) and 15 months (-0.32%, 95% CI -0.54% to -0.10%; p=0.0040). At months 18, 21 and 24, the HbA1c differences were not statistically significant (18 months: -0.34%, 95% CI -0.77% to 0.08%; p=0.1086; 21 months: -0.22%, 95% CI -1.00% to 0.56%; p=0.5721; 24 months: -0.42%, 95% CI -1.38% to 0.55%; p=0.3966).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher engagement in the CCM programme delivered by CHWs and coordinated with clinical care was associated with beneficial improvements in type 2 diabetes control, but both engagement groups showed strong improvements.

Influence of "Hospital-Community-Family" Integrated Management on Blood Pressure, Quality of Life, Anxiety and Depression in Hypertensive Patients

Objective

To explore the Influence of "hospital-community-family" integrated management on blood pressure, quality of life, anxiety and depression in hypertensive patients.

Methods

A total of 60 patients with hypertension were treated in our hospital from July 2019 to July 2021. The patients were randomly divided into control group (n =30) and study group (n =30). The former accepts routine management, while the latter accepts "hospital-community-family" integrated management. Nursing satisfaction, blood pressure, disease awareness rate, anxiety and depression scores, disease control ability and quality of life scores were compared.

Results

First of all, we compared the nursing satisfaction: the study group was very satisfied in 25 cases, satisfactory in 4 cases, general in 1 case, the satisfaction rate was 100.00%, while in the control group, 10 cases were very satisfied, 8 cases were satisfied, 7 cases were general, and 5 cases were dissatisfied, the satisfaction rate was 83.33%; The nursing satisfaction of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P <0.05). Secondly, we compared the level of blood pressure. There was no significant difference before management (P >0.05) but the blood pressure decreased after treatment. In the control group, the level of blood pressure in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P <0.05). In terms of disease awareness rate the scores of hypertension related knowledge hypertension harmfulness community management methods regular reexamination and blood pressure monitoring in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in anxiety and depression scores before treatment (P >0.05), but decreased after treatment. Compared with the control group, the anxiety and depression scores of the study group were lower (P <0.05). In terms of disease control ability, the total scores of diet management, medication management, behavior management and information management in the study group were higher compared to the control group (P <0.05). Finally, we compared the scores of qualities of life. Before management, there exhibited no significant difference (P >0.05). After management, the scores of quality of life decreased. Compared to the control group, the scores of physiological function, psychological function, social function and health self-cognition in the study group were lower than those in control group (P <0.05).

Conclusion

The application of integrated "hospital, community and family" management can vertically integrate medical resources and establish a truly effective hierarchical treatment model. Integrated "hospital-community-family" management can improve patient compliance with treatment, enhance patients' self-management ability and confidence, and improve the management efficiency of medical staff.

Evaluating the Dissemination and Implementation of a Community Health Worker-Based Community Wide Campaign to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Physical Activity among Latinos along the U.S.-Mexico Border

This study evaluated the dissemination and implementation of a culturally tailored community-wide campaign (CWC), Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (TSSC), to augment fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and physical activity (PA) engagement among low-income Latinos of Mexican descent living along the U.S.-Mexico Border in Texas. TSSC used longitudinal community health worker (CHW) home visits as a core vehicle to enact positive change across all socioecological levels to induce behavioral change. TSSC's reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) was examined. A dietary questionnaire and the Godin-Shepherd Exercise Questionnaire measured program effectiveness on mean daily FV consumption and weekly PA engagement, respectively. Participants were classified based on CHW home visits into "low exposure" (2-3 visits) and "high exposure" (4-5 visits) groups. The TSSC program reached low-income Latinos (n = 5686) across twelve locations. TSSC demonstrated effectiveness as, compared to the low exposure group, the high exposure group had a greater FV intake (mean difference = +0.65 FV servings daily, 95% CI: 0.53-0.77) and an increased PA (mean difference = +185.6 MET-minutes weekly, 95% CI: 105.9-265.4) from baseline to the last follow-up on a multivariable linear regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the high exposure group had higher odds of meeting both FV guidelines (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.65-2.47) and PA guidelines (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10-1.68) at the last follow-up. The program had a 92.3% adoption rate, with 58.3% of adopting communities meeting implementation fidelity, and 91.7% of communities maintaining TSSC. TSSC improved FV consumption and PA engagement behaviors among low-income Latinos region wide. CHW delivery and implementation funding positively influenced reach, effectiveness, adoption, and maintenance, while lack of qualified CHWs negatively impacted fidelity.