RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) including community health extension workers (CHEWs) in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria participated in a hypertension training series following the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model which leverages technology and a practical peer-to-peer learning framework to virtually train healthcare practitioners. We sought to evaluate the patient-level effects of the hypertension ECHO series. METHODS: HCWs from 12 of 33 eligible primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in the Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria Program (NCT04158154) were selected to participate in a seven-part hypertension ECHO series from August 2022 to April 2023. Concurrent Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria Program patient data were used to evaluate changes in hypertension treatment and control rates, and adherence to Nigeria's hypertension treatment protocol. Outcomes were compared between the 12 PHCs in the ECHO program and the 21 which were not. RESULTS: Between July 2022 and June 2023, 16,691 PHC visits were documented among 4340 individuals (ECHO: n = 1428 [33%], non-ECHO: n = 2912 [67%]). Patients were on average (SD) 51.5 (12.0) years old, and one-third were male (n = 1372, 32%) with no differences between cohorts in either characteristic (p ≥ 0.05 for both). Blood pressures at enrollment were higher in the ECHO cohort compared to the non-ECHO cohort (systolic p < 0.0001 and diastolic p = 0.0001), and patients were less likely to be treated with multiple medications (p < 0.0001). Treatment rates were similar at baseline (ECHO: 94.0% and Non-ECHO: 94.7%) and increased at a higher rate (interaction p = 0.045) in the ECHO cohort over time. After adjustment for baseline and within site variation, the difference was attenuated (interaction p = 0.37). Over time, control rates increased and medication protocol adherence decreased, with no differences between cohorts. Staffing levels, adult patient visits, and rates of hypertension screening and empanelment were similar between ECHO and non-ECHO cohorts (p ≥ 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The ECHO series was associated with moderately increased hypertension treatment rates and did not adversely affect staffing or clinical capacity among PHCs in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. These results may be used to inform strategies to support scaling hypertension education among frontline HCWs throughout Nigeria, and use of the ECHO model for CHEWs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria Program was prospectively registered on November 8, 2019 at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT04158154; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04158154 ).
Asunto(s)
Agentes Comunitarios de Salud , Hipertensión , Atención Primaria de Salud , Humanos , Hipertensión/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Hipertensión/terapia , Nigeria/epidemiología , Masculino , Agentes Comunitarios de Salud/educación , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Antihipertensivos/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Background: The Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) model has been used extensively to link care providers in rural communities with experts with the aim of improving local patient care. Objective: The aim of this qualitative research study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, perceived needs, and contextual factors to guide implementation of a hypertension focused ECHO program for Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Methods: From September 2020 to December 2020, key informant interviews were performed with seven global organizations (hubs) providing ECHO training focused on cardiovascular disease or nephrology to identify contextual factors and implementation strategies used by each hub. In February 2022, seven focus group discussions were performed with 42 frontline healthcare workers in the Federal Capital Territory to inform local adaptation of a hypertension ECHO program. Directed content analysis identified major themes which were mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Qualitative analyses were performed using Dedoose, and results were synthesized using the Implementation Research Logic Model. Results: We found both barriers and facilitators across the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains that mapped to a number of constructs in each one. The results of these analyses confirmed that the core components of the ECHO model are a feasible and appropriate intervention for hypertension education of healthcare workers. However, implementing the ECHO program within the Federal Capital Territory may require strategies such as utilizing communications resources effectively, developing incentives to motivate initial participation, and providing rewards or recognition for ongoing engagement. Conclusions: These results provide valuable formative insights to guide implementation of our proposed hypertension ECHO program for CHEWs in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. This information was used for key decisions around: 1) scope and content of training, 2) format and frequency, 3) selection of implementation strategies, and 4) building a community of practice.