Nganou-Gnindjio, Chris Nadège¹; Kenmogne, Héloïse Guidelle*²; Hamadou, Ba¹; Kamdem, Félicité^3,4,5; Mfeukeu-Kuate, Liliane¹; Tankeu, Aurel¹; Bediang, Georges Wilfred¹; Menanga, Alain Patrick¹; Kingue, Samuel¹. 

Authors’ affiliations:

1. Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
2. Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Bagangte, Cameroon
3. Internal Medicine Service, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon;
4. Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon;
5. Intensive Care Unit, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon

Corresponding author: Kenmogne Héloïse Guidelle, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is the leading cardiovascular risk factor and Africa presents the highest prevalence worldwide with up to 46% of adults over 25 years affected. Level of awareness is low, resulting in poor therapeutic adherence and blood pressure (BP) control. We investigate the effect of therapeutic group education on adherence to treatment and BP control on uncontrolled hypertensive individuals in sub Saharan Africa.

Methods: we carried out a non-randomized control trial from October 2016 to June 2017 at the outpatient cardiology clinic of the Yaoundé Central Hospital, in Cameroon. We included adults with essential, uncontrolled hypertension. Every weeks during three months, educative sessions added to daily phone calls and text messages were done. Blood pressure, drug compliance, knowledge regarding hypertension, level of physical activity were evaluated at baseline and after intervention. The student test was used to compare data before and after intervention. A p value <0.05 was statistically significant.

Results: Overall, 17 participants with a mean age of 56.24 ± 8.14 years and an average duration of hypertension of 11.17 ± 9 years completed the intervention. SBP decreased by 30mmHg, DBP drooped by 11mmHg. Level of knowledge increased by (36.47%), adherence to treatment by 88.24% and drug compliance by 81.44%. Energy expenditure related to physical activity increased 100% of participants with a mean improvement of 625.41 MET. All patients were satisfied.

Conclusion: Therapeutic group education increased adherence to treatment and BP control amongst uncontrolled hypertensive patients in sub Saharan Africa

Key words: Therapeutic group education, hypertension, adherence, knowledge.