Evaluation on effect of new model of community-based hypertension self-management

Objective To explore the new model of community-based hypertension self-management and to evaluate the intervention effect on the hypertension patients in a community in Shanghai. Methods To explore the new model of community-based hypertension self-management, through literature review and qualitative interviews with experts and stakeholders. Among 15 000 patients with informed consents and voluntary participation, 1 080 patients were randomly selected as the intervention group, and 588 patients were randomly selected from hypertension management database of community health service centers as the control group. Analysis of covariance based on rank scores was employed to compare the score changes in two survey questionnaires, before and after six months of the intervention project, and between the intervention group and the control group, on self-assessment of overall health status, and quality of health care services received in the community. Analysis of covariance was employed to compare the changes of blood pressure. Results The self-assessment of overall health status significantly improved for the intervention group, compared with the control group (P<0.05). The blood pressure of the intervention group remained stable, while the diastolic pressure for the control group increased as compared with that before intervention, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). During six months of the intervention project, as to the incremental value of scores in dimensions like initiative and design of health care service system, the difference between the intervention group and the control group was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The intervention based on the new model of community-based hypertension self-management has a positive role in improving the patients' overall health status, stabilizing the blood pressure, and optimizing hypertension health care services in community.