Effect of peer counsellor intervention on reducing mortality and/or hospitalization in adults with hypertensive urgency in Tanzania: a pilot study.
- Mwanza, Tanzania: Tanzania Journal of Health Research & Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] 2022/8/2
- Pages 3-4
- Tanzania Journal of Health Research Volume 23 .
Background: People with hypertensive urgency experience high rates of medication non-adherence, hospitalization, and death worldwide. Interventions to improve medication adherence and health outcomes after hypertensive urgency are urgently needed. Methods: In this historical control study, we assessed the effect of a peer counsellor intervention--named Rafiki mwenye msaada--on the 1-year incidence of hospitalization and/or death among adults with hypertensive urgency in Mwanza, Tanzania. The intervention cohort involved 50 patients who presented with hypertensive urgency to two hospitals in Mwanza, Tanzania. All 50 patients received a Rafiki mwenye msaada intervention consisting of 5 sessions delivered by a peer counsellor over 3 months. Outcomes were compared to historical controls. Results: Of the 50 patients (median age, 61 years), 34 (68%) were female, and 19 (38%) had overweight.