Changes in blood pressure among users of lay health worker or volunteer operated community-based blood pressure programs over time: a systematic review protocol.

Abstract

REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to identify studies reporting on lay health worker- or volunteer-led community-based programs for blood pressure screening and cardiovascular awareness in order to determine if these programs contribute to changes in blood pressure among participants over time. The specific question for this review is: What are the changes in blood pressure among adult users of community-based blood pressure screening and awareness programs operated by lay health workers or volunteers as measured by the differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the user’s first visit to the program and their last visit to the program? INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants Participants for this review will be adults aged 18 and over who have had their blood pressure taken on at least two occasions through a community-based hypertension screening and monitoring program targeting an adult population and led by lay health workers or volunteers. Participants aged less than 18 years will be excluded if specified in the study and the study report. Types of interventions This review will consider studies and reports of projects led by lay health workers or volunteers that are community-based and offer screening and/or monitoring of blood pressure over time. This review will also include and report on the different kinds of interventions that are reported in these studies, ranging from simple blood pressure monitoring over time, diet and exercise advice, stress reduction interventions, medication review by pharmacists and, nursing interventions, to referrals to primary care provider for TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS