Preventing the complications of hypertension through sustainable community support groups in Malibcong, Abra /
Desiree Joy Morales Ortiz.
- xv, 101 leaves : color illustrations
Graduate School of Public and Development Management
Malibcong is a 5th class upland municipality in the province of Abra. For the past four years, hypertension and its complication, stroke has been consistently included in the top five leading causes of morbidity and mortality respectively of the municipality. The goal of this action plan and project is to decrease the prevalence rate of stroke, as one of the complications of hypertension among the hypertensive patients to at least 20% from the current baseline at the end of one year through the establishment of community support groups (CSG). Specifically, the study aimed to identify the members of the CSG for the hypertensive patients; to state the role of the CSG in preventing the complications of hypertension among the hypertensive patients; and to determine the policy measures that can be implemented in order to ensure the sustainability of the CSG. The Gacab high Blood group was composed of 31 hypertensive and stroke patients, the relatives of these patients, the barangay health workers, and the Rural Health unit staff. The baseline knowledge of the patients about hypertension was determined using a 10 item pre test. The post test was done one month after. The medication adherence was also assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire. The patients also underwent risk assessment and risk screening using NCD Risk Assessment Form, glucometer and urine dipstick. Health education sessions were conducted very moth. The topics discussed were hypertension, lifestyle modifications, and compliance to medications. The barangay health workers regularly monitored the blood pressure (BP) of the patients ans the intake of the maintenance medications. The RHU staff performed counseling sessions to motivate the patients on medication adherence and to determine presence of adverse drug reactions. The patients were given free anti hypertensive medications as incentives.
Hypertension--Prevention and control. Hypertension--Risk factors. Public health.