Engaging Religious Leaders to Reduce Blood Pressures in Tanzanian Communities
Hypertension
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Hypertension focused on measuring Religious Leaders, Community Engagement, Hypertension, Tanzania
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult ≥35 years of age
- Has lived in the community for ≥1 year
- Household identified for random sampling is primary residence: has slept in the household at least once in the past 2 weeks and considers this their primary residence
Exclusion Criteria:
- First-degree relative from the same household already enrolled
- Relative of the same sex from the same household already enrolled
Sites / Locations
- CommunityRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
No Intervention
Experimental
Control communities
Religious Engagement in Health Intervention communities
Communities randomized to the control arm will receive a strengthening of the capacity to manage blood pressure at their local health center. Healthcare workers at the local health center will receive standard supplies, reference materials, and training in blood pressure measurement and management on-site. In the event of any stock-outs due to higher demand for antihypertensives during the trial implementation, the trial will temporarily provide these medications to primary health facilities until the Ministry of Health supply chain is restored. Of note, control communities will receive Religious Engagement in Health Intervention after the trial is complete.
Communities randomized to the intervention arm will receive a strengthening of the capacity to manage blood pressure at their local health center plus Religious Engagement in Health Intervention for blood pressure (BP), which includes three evidence-based components; 1) educational sessions for Christian and Muslim leaders on religious teachings and medical aspects of BP, 2) equipping religious leaders to provide BP teaching in their communities using knowledge learned from educational sessions and through longitudinal mentorship meetings, and 3) community BP screening organized by religious leaders in partnership with local health care workers, and referrals for clinical care as needed.