African Population and Health Research Center - Know your Blood Pressure: Community Efforts to Address Cardiovascular Disease

CARTA | Subscribe | Staff Mail | INTRANET | Contact Us

HOME
WHO WE ARE
- Background & Evolution
- Vision, Mission & Values
- ---------------------------------
- Audited Accounts
- Form 990
- ---------------------------------
- Annual reports
- Newsletters
- ---------------------------------
- Board of Directors
- Staff
- ---------------------------------
- Our donors and partners
- ---------------------------------
- Our Contacts
WHAT WE DO
- Overview
- ---------------------------------
- Research
  - Overview
  - ---------------------------------
  - Urbanisation and well-being
  - Population and reproductive health
  - Health challenges and systems
  - Education Research (ERP)
  - Aging and Development
  - ---------------------------------
  - Demographic Surveillance System
- ---------------------------------
- Capacity strengthening
  - Overview
  - ---------------------------------
  - ADDRF
    - ADDRF Program Overview
    - ---------------------------------
    - ADDRF Fellows (Cohort 3)
    - ADDRF Fellows (Cohort 4)
  - CARTA
  - ---------------------------------
  - Research Internship (Guidelines)
  - ---------------------------------
  - Other initiatives
- ---------------------------------
- Policy engagement
WHERE WE WORK
DATA & STATISTICS
- Overview
- ---------------------------------
- Longitudinal Data
  - Indicators from DSS
  - Data Repository
  - ---------------------------------
  - Data Sharing Policy
RESOURCES
- Videos
- Pictures
- APHRC in the Press
- ---------------------------------
- Publications
JOIN US
- Community initiatives
- Donate
- ---------------------------------
- Vacancies
DONATE

Know your Blood Pressure: Community Efforts to Address Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally, and even in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). According to the WHO, more people die from cardiovascular diseases in SSA (12.5%) than from HIV/AIDS (12.3%) or malaria (7.3%). An APHRC study of two Nairobi slums found that out of 5190 randomly selected respondents 12% were hypertensive and 4% diabetic. The same study also revealed that 7 out 10 people suffering from diabetes and hypertension in Korogocho and Viwandani are not aware of their health status.

On Wednesday, 18^th July 2012 APHRC began mobilizing community health workers to carry out a free door-to-door screening and counseling exercise in Korogocho, Nairobi.

Over 150 local residents attended the launch of the exercise dubbed ‘ijue presha yako’ roughly translated as know your (blood) pressure. The door-to-door screening involves 6 steps – a questionnaire, a blood pressure check, measurement of BMI and waist and hip circumference, and if needed a blood glucose test, and lastly, counseling on healthy lifestyle. Correctly identifying and treating hypertensive patients is key to addressing the alarming increase in cardiovascular disease. The testing intends to develop a Sustainable model for Cardiovascular health by Adjusting Lifestyle and treatment with Economic perspective in settings of Urban Poverty (SCALE-UP).

Cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes are often silent killers because; many times they are no visible symptoms. Do you know the risk factors? How they affect your health and put your heart at risk? You need to make lifestyle changes and keep in control of your heart’s health. African Population and Health Research Center and Community Health Workers are carrying out a door to door free screening of high blood pressure and healthy lifestyle counseling.

Know your blood pressure status today!

To get involved contact: info@aphrc.org

| Comment |