Determining the optimal diagnostic and risk stratification approaches for people with hypertension in two rural populations in Kenya and The Gambia: a study protocol for IHCoR-Africa Work Package 2

Abstract

Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the highest prevalences of hypertension worldwide. The impact of hypertension is of particular concern in rural SSA, where access to clinics and hospitals is limited. Improvements in the management of people with hypertension in rural SSA could be achieved by shifting diagnosis and care from the clinic to the community. To develop such a community-centred programme we need optimal approaches to identify and risk stratify patients with elevated blood pressure. The aim of the study is to improve the evidence base for diagnosis and risk estimation for a community-centred hypertension programme in two rural settings in SSA. Methods We will conduct a cross-sectional study of 1250 adult participants in Kilifi, Kenya and Kiang West, The Gambia. The study has five objectives which will determine the: (1) accuracy of three blood pressure (BP) measurement methods performed by community health workers in identifying people with hypertension in rural SSA, compared to the reference standard method; (2) relationship between systolic BP and cardiovascular risk factors; (3) prevalence of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD); (4) accuracy of innovative point-of-care (POC) technologies to identify patients with HMOD; and (5) cost-effectiveness of different combinations of BP and HMOD measurements for directing hypertension treatment initiation. Expected findings This study will determine the accuracy of three methods for community BP measurement and POC technologies for HMOD assessment. Using the optimal methods in this setting it will estimate the prevalence of hypertension and provide the best estimate to date of HMOD prevalence in SSA populations. The cost-effectiveness of decision-making approaches for initiating treatment of hypertension will be modelled. These results will inform the development of a community-centred programme to improve care for hypertensive patients living in rural SSA. Existing community engagement networks will be used to disseminated within the research setting.