A Randomized Controlled Trial of Blood Pressure Reduction Based on Disease Control Priorities 3 in Pakistan to Manage and Control Hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: According to American Heart Association standards, hypertension is classified into three stages based on blood pressure measurements: essential hypertension, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension. The global target is to reduce the prevalence of high blood pressure by 25% by the year 2025. Worldwide, the prevalence of high blood pressure among men and women aged 18 and above reported to be 24% and 20%, respectively. AIM: The aim of this study was to overall reduce high blood pressure of hypertensive patients to the recommended level of 140/90 mm of Hg through implementing a non-pharmacological and multi-component intervention based on Disease Control Priorities (3rd edition). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial in which a multi-component intervention for lowering high blood pressure was tested. This was pilot-tested for its acceptance, appropriateness, and relevance, explored through an earlier formative research and desk review conducted from the available evidence. A total of 240 study participants were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Health Services Academy and the trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov number NCT04336631. SPSS software version 21 was used to enter and analyze the data. RESULTS: High blood pressure of hypertensive patients in a hospital setting during 03 months yielded -23.9 mm Hg of systolic blood pressure reduction (95% confidence interval, p ≤ 0.005). A significant reduction was observed in intervention group after delivering the intervention. Compared to patients in the usual care group, improved health outcomes were achieved for diet control, reducing salt intake and increased physical exercise. In the intervention group, the mean blood pressure among male hypertensive patients was 145/90 mm Hg and in female hypertensive patients, the mean blood pressure was recorded as 140/100 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: High blood pressure was significantly reduced in hypertensive patients who adhered to a low salt diet, weight loss measures, and increased physical activity.

Assessment of risk factor profile in young patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Disease, a tertiary care cardiac facility.

OBJECTIVE: To identify modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors among young patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Adult Cardiac Surgery of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Disease, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 1, 2015, to April 24, 2018, and comprised patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Data was collected using a predesigned questionnaire, and the risk factors studied were hypertension, diabetes, smoking, serum cholesterol, family history and body mass index. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 1270 patients, 838(66.1%) were males and 432(33.9%) were females. The overall mean age was 39.29±8.64 years (range: 18-49 years). Of the total, 319(25.2%) patients were hypertensive; 170(13.3%) were diabetics; 303(23.9%) had history of smoking; 566(44.6%) were obese. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and smoking in the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery at age <50 years.

Role of development partners in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programming in post-reform times: a qualitative study from Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: Despite certain reforms undertaken in Pakistan to reorient its health system, the health-related millennium goals lagged behind many neighbouring and regional countries. This study was conducted to understand the implications of government reforms including the devolution on the National Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programme; and to determine donors' and development partners' current and prospective role in the post-reform scenario. SETTING: The donor agencies based in the federal capital Islamabad, as well as the federal and provincial government offices involved in the financing, design, oversight and implementation of various MNCH initiatives in Pakistan, were included in the sample. PARTICIPANTS: A descriptive qualitative study based on individual in-depth interviews with representatives from donor agencies and government offices (8 each) involved in programmes directly related to the MNCH sector. RESULTS: The reforms are denounced as deficient in terms of detailed planning and operationalisation of the vertical programmes including that for MNCH. The government had to face coordination challenges with the provinces, which has affected donor engagement and funding mechanisms to a great deal. Investment in MNCH, population and nutrition has been the topmost priority of development partners in Pakistan. Their contributions towards health systems also include assistance in developing and implementing provincial health sector strategies, establishment of Health Sector Reform Units and investments in service delivery, research and advocacy. CONCLUSIONS: Any health sector reform must be complemented by a roll-out strategy, including robust support to the provincial health systems and to their capacity building. Development partners must align and coordinate their strategies with provinces to stabilise the MNCH programme in Pakistan. More coordination between the different tiers of the government and the donors could streamline MNCH partnership in post-reform times.