European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with hypertension being the leading risk factor. Ischemic heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of Disability Adjusted Life years (DALYs) in people aged 50 and older, and high systolic blood pressure is responsible for 19.2% of all deaths worldwide. The global NCD priority is to reduce hypertension prevalence by 25% by 2025. Strategies such as early detection, treatment, and control, cost sharing, and benefit designs can help reduce unfavourable health outcomes associated with hypertension. Objectives: The current study is a Community Interventional Trial for Hypertension Control in Rural Maharashtra, India to determine if a community-based intervention delivered to community and healthcare workers in a rural area can be effective in controlling hypertension and if any beneficial effects can be sustained in the long term. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted in the Coverage area of two Primary Health Centers in Palghar District of Maharashtra from Jan 2018 to Dec 2022. It was a Cluster randomized controlled trial with 1850 people in each Sub-center. Comprehensive community-based intervention was implemented in one Subcenter under Primary Health Centre of Kaman and second subcenter in the Primary Health Centre of Satpati in rural area of Maharashtraand its effect was assessed. Results: The baseline characteristics of the study population were similar in both sub-centres. Recommended Physical activity was less in both subcentres, with most of the participants consuming 2000-2499 Kcal/Day. Overweight was higher in Kaman, while central obesity was higher in both PHCs. The prevalence of known cases of both Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension was 3.4% in Kaman, while Suspected Hypertension cases was higher in Kaman. In Kaman there were 27.5% of confirmed cases of hypertension and after intervention it has reduced to 17.5%. There was a decrease of 10%. In Satpati there were 25.2% of confirmed cases of hypertension and after intervention it has reduced to 21.6%. There was a decrease of 3.6%. Conclusion: A high number of cases of Hypertension is found in rural population. 27.5% of the participants were newly diagnosed with Hypertension. Screening and early detection and treatment of Hypertension is highly needed in rural areas. Community-based intervention is equally important to focus on prevention, promotion, and enable lifestyle changes to prevent and control Hypertension and avoid risk factors.