1. Reporting of blood pressure levels and self-monitoring practices: a survey among outpatients diagnosed with hypertension in Bogotá, Colombia.
- Author
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Villar, Juan Carlos, Vásquez, Skarlet Marcell, Balcázar, Angela Manuela, López, Luz Angela Torres, Barrera, Edgar Camilo, and Moreno, Angélica María
- Subjects
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HYPERTENSION , *PATIENT aftercare , *MIDDLE-income countries , *ACADEMIC medical centers , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *TELEPHONES , *SELF-evaluation , *AGE distribution , *CROSS-sectional method , *SURVEYS , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *INFORMED consent (Medical law) , *HEALTH literacy , *PRIMARY health care , *T-test (Statistics) , *LOW-income countries , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *AMBULATORY blood pressure monitoring , *CHI-squared test , *BLOOD pressure measurement , *POVERTY , *HEALTH self-care , *OUTPATIENT services in hospitals - Abstract
Background: Routine blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring is recommended for patients already diagnosed with hypertension. How often these patients can report their BP levels is unknown, particularly in low-and-middle income countries. Methods: We surveyed (January 2021 to May 2022) representative samples of patients with established diagnosis of hypertension from 3 health care networks (involving 74 outpatient clinics) and 2 university hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia. Trained health care professionals conducted a telephone survey including questions on demographics, medical history, and general understanding about hypertension and its potential complications. The outcome variables were the self-report of participant's BP levels (primary) and monitoring practices among participants. Results: Out of 2609 consecutively contacted patients sampled from institutional records, 2323 were invited and 1566 (mean age 66.5, SD = 12.1 years, 74.4% females, 64.0% living low socio-economic strata) gave consent to participate. While 66% of participants had over 5 years of diagnosis, 39.5% had most (≥ 60%) of their follow-up visits with the same doctor. Overall, 645 (41.5%, 95%CI 39.1 -43.9) participants reported their BP levels. This proportion was independent of time from diagnosis, but higher among those of younger age, living in higher socio-economic strata, having more years of education and using more information technologies. Also, more patients reported their BP levels if seen ≥ 60% of the times by the same physician (43.4% Vs. 36.7%). Those reporting closer BP self-monitoring more often used electronic devices, received 2 + medications, and had better knowledge about hypertension. Conclusion: A minority of hypertensive patients seen in Bogotá were aware of their own BP levels. Those in such capacity were in a better social position, more often seen by the same doctor, knew their condition better and handled more complex treatments. Hypertensive patients from Bogotá may benefit from a more continuous medical care, patient education programs and promoting BP home monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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