Silence the Silent Killer 'High Blood Pressure'

According to the World Health Organization, 5.7 million Kenyans are hypertensive. Unfortunately, 4.3 million (75.4%) of these hypertensive people are unaware of their status or have not tested their blood pressure. According to the Ministry of Health in Kenya, almost one in four Kenyans 20-50 years and one in two Kenyans over 50 years has hypertension. Sadly, more than half have never had their blood pressure measured.

Applying the above estimates to Tharaka Nithi means that of the 218,766 adults in Tharaka Nithi, 108,652, or 49.7%, are hypertensive. Of these hypertensive clients, more than 55,000 have never had their blood pressure measured.

In 2020, Tharaka Nithi County recorded 27,136 hypertension cases; in 2021, hypertension accounted for 55,755 outpatient visits (KHIS 2020 & 2021). These numbers are incredibly low compared to what we would expect based on the county’s population.

Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are widely identified as enablers in developing national and sub-national capacities for diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and health promotion programs (Raven et al., 2020). In addition, the World Health Organization & United Nations Children's Fund (2018) have recognized CHVs as vital agents in achieving universal health coverage and other positive health outcomes on the African continent. Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are community members selected through a participatory process with an in-depth understanding of community values, local culture, and language. They have undergone standardized training and are qualified/certified to provide a defined health promotion package and services at the community level. HopeCore collaborates with the Tharaka Nithi County Government in building the technical capacity of 1,065 Community Health Volunteers; through training on basic CHV modules. We also equip the CHVs with flipbooks as teaching aid and ongoing training mechanism. CHVs continue to improve their skills through each encounter with the community and further use of the flipbooks.

HopeCore trained 635 Community Health Volunteers on hypertension in Mwimbi, Muthambi, Chuka, and IgambaNg’ombe sub-counties in four thematic areas: causes of hypertension, risk factors, prevention, and management. HopeCore further trained 256 CHVs in Mwimbi and Muthambi Sub-Counties on checking blood pressure using digital BP machines. After demonstrating proficiency, HopeCore then provided CHVs with digital blood pressure machines. Between August and December 2021, HopeCore CHVs screened 4,140 community members for hypertension. Upon analysis of the data, we found that 26.53% of community members had elevated blood pressure. Further, 14.27% were hypertensive stage 1, 4.19% were hypertensive stage 2, and 2.07% were in hypertensive crisis. The clients with elevated high blood pressure were all referred to link facilities for further management.

In 2022, HopeCore intensified community blood pressure testing by providing 74 Digital blood pressure machines to Community Health Volunteers in Tharaka Nithi County. As a result, 7,696 community members were screened. Of the community members screened, 3,848 had elevated blood pressure and were referred to link facilities for further management.

Our Community Health Volunteers have conducted 149,731 household visits to conduct health education on health topics, hypertension prevention, and management.

 CONCLUSION

Hypertension is a silent looming crisis that, if not stopped, will lead to deaths due to related complications. We are grateful for your generous donations that have ensured that the most vulnerable access life-saving health interventions. In 2023, we look forward to intensifying screening, education, and treatment since the situation worsens daily.