Control of hypertension among teachers in schools in Kerala (CHATS-K), India

Abstract

Objective We investigated the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control of hypertension and the factors associated with hypertension prevalence and control among school teachers in Kerala, India. Methods We surveyed 2216 school teachers in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala as part of the control of hypertension among teachers in schools in Kerala (CHATS-K), India. We used World Health Organization STEPS tools for non-communicable diseases risk factor surveillance. Blood pressure, weight and height were measured using standard protocols. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg, or self-reported current antihypertensive medication. Controlled hypertension was defined as SBP<140 and DBP<90 mmHg. Separate multivariate analysis was done for finding the associated factors with prevalence and control of hypertension. Results Age adjusted hypertension prevalence was 14.6%. Men, those with self-reported diabetes, having family history of hypertension and overweight were more likely to have higher prevalence of hypertension compared to their counterparts. Among hypertensives 62% were aware, 49% on treatment and 34% achieved adequate control. Hypertension control was significantly higher among women, diabetics and overweight individuals compared to their counterparts. Conclusions A higher level of hypertension control among school teachers in this study indicates an attainable level of hypertension control in the general population of the state. Teachers, with their highly regarded place in the social construct of the country and the state, could thus be used as role models for hypertension control for the general population in the state.

Population-level hypertension control rate in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis of community based non-interventional studies, 2001-2020

“…There were 12 studies (32%) that reported poorer control rates among males than females 20,32,33,36,41,43,45,[49][50][51]53,54 while only three studies showed females to have a poorer control rate than males. 24,31,44 Four studies (11%) reported poorer control rates among rural patients 43,45,47,54 while two studies showed there was no difference in control rate between rural and urban patients.…”

Effectiveness of a School‐Based Educational Intervention to Improve Hypertension Control Among Schoolteachers: A Cluster‐Randomized Controlled Trial

“…We screened 2216 schoolteachers from 92 schools and identified 402 teachers with hypertension implying a hypertension prevalence of 18.1%, 16 much lower than anticipated. We randomly assigned 92 schools equally into usual care and intervention groups using computer‐generated random sequences.…”

“…The average of the second and third readings was taken as the final BP reading. The details of data collection have been published previously, 13 and we have also reported the findings of the baseline survey, 16 which informed the design of this randomized controlled trial for hypertension control.…”

Perception and Hypertension Prevention Practices of Teachers in selected Secondary Schools in Sagamu Local Government Area Ogun State, Nigeria

“…Furthermore, respondents' mean prevention practices score and standard deviation was 15.34±4.95. This was categorized into low (0-8), moderate (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16), and high (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Less than half 192 (45.9%) of the respondents had high prevention practices while one hundred and eighty-four (44.0%) of the respondents had moderate hypertension prevention practices, and only a few 42 (10.0%) of the respondents had low hypertension prevention practices (See table 5).…”