OBJECTIVES

Hypertension (HTN) management guidelines recommend home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) as an important tool for BP control. Limited data exists on HBPM epidemiology among people with HTN and their caregivers in the Indian context.

METHODS

The current study was conducted across three North Indian centres to evaluate the prevalence, training and technique of HBPM among people with HTN and their caregivers. People with diagnosed HTN (>3 months duration) and their caregivers, were screened and their HBPM use was evaluated. HBPM practices were assessed by observing participants measuring BP using a pre-validated, structured 16-point observational checklist. HBPM knowledge was assessed using a 19-point self-administered questionnaire based on the most recent AHA guidelines. Responses were graded and classified based on quartiles.

RESULTS

A total of 2750 participants were screened, of which 2588 (2070 from urban and 518 from rural areas) were included. A total of 468 (18.1 %) were using HBPM. The proportion of respondents using HBPM was 20.5 % (424/2070) in urban, and 8.5 % (44/518) in rural areas. Only 24.7 % (n = 116) of the 468 participants (236 patients and 232 caregivers) using HBPM at home recalled ever receiving training from any healthcare workers. The majority (75.2 %, 352/468) of participants reported learning HBPM themselves through observation, videos, and reading. In HBPM practice assessment, 15.9 % of people with HTN (37/232) vs 5.9 % caregivers (14/236) scored excellent (score >75 %). In HPBM knowledge assessment, 0.4 % of people with HTN (1/232) vs no caregivers scored excellent. HPBM practices were better than knowledge, with mean scores of 62.3 ± 13.1 % and 40.1 ± 16.2 % respectively. Higher education level was associated with improved patient knowledge (p = 0.041), but not practices (p = 0.225).

CONCLUSIONS

There is need for more robust training on HBPM to enable people from all backgrounds to better manage their HTN, especially in rural areas. Education is not a barrier to learning good HBPM technique.