scholarly journals Engaging Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) for cardiovascular diseases risk screening in Nepal

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0261518
Author(s):  
Lal B. Rawal ◽  
Yuewen Sun ◽  
Padam K. Dahal ◽  
Sushil C. Baral ◽  
Sudeepa Khanal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Risk Screening ◽  
Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Female Community Health Volunteers ◽  
And Control

Introduction Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have become the leading public health problems worldwide and the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is one of the major NCDs. Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) in Nepal are the key drivers to implementing frontline health services. We explored the potential for engaging FCHVs for CVD risk screening at the community level in Nepal. Methods We used multiple approaches (quantitative and qualitative) for data collection. The trained FCHVs administered CVD risk screening questionnaire among 491 adults in rural and urban areas and calculated the CVD risk scores. To maintain consistency and quality, a registered medical doctor also, using the same risk scoring chart, independently calculated the CVD risk scores. Kappa statistics and concordance coefficient were used to compare these two sets of risk screening results. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were conducted. Two focus group discussions among the FCHVs were conducted to determine their experiences with CVD risk screening and willingness to engage with CVD prevention and control efforts. Results The mean level of agreement between two sets of risk screening results was 94.5% (Kappa = 0.77, P<0.05). Sensitivity of FCHV screening was 90.3% (95% CI: 0.801–0.964); and the specificity was 97% (95% CI: 0.948, 0.984). FCHVs who participated in the FGDs expressed a strong enthusiasm and readiness to using the CVD risk screening tools. Despite their busy workload, all FCHVs showed high level of motivation and willingness in using CVD risk screening tools and contribute to the prevention and control efforts of NCDs. The FCHVs recommended needs for providing additional training and capacity building opportunities. Conclusion We conclude that there is a potential for engaging FCHVs to use simple CVD risk screening tools at the community level. The findings are promising, however, further studies engaging larger number of FCHVs and larger population would warrant feasibility of such tools within the existing healthcare systems in Nepal.

scholarly journals Role of Female Community Health Volunteers for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Surya B. Parajuli ◽  
Sabin Shrestha ◽  
Anisha Sah ◽  
Heera KC ◽  
Kapil Amgain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Female Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Community Health Programs ◽  
The Moment ◽  
And Control

Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) are the pillars of community health programs in Nepal who play a pivotal role in implementing various community based preventive, promotive, and curative health programs. In the context of COVID 19 pandemic and possible outbreak in Nepal, the only way by which it can be stopped at the moment is by prevention. This paper presents the role of FCHVs for the prevention and control of COVID 19 in Nepal.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) to Improve Primary Health Care Services Delivery: A Case of Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHV) Program in Nepal (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prakash Shahi ◽  
Pasang Devi Tamang ◽  
Surya Bhatta ◽  
Lal Rawal
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Female Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
And Control

UNSTRUCTURED Community health workers (CHWs) have played a vital role in improving primary healthcare services in different parts of the world, in particular, for those services related to the prevention and control of communicable diseases, immunization services, reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and nutrition promotion. The Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) program, which was introduced in 1988 in Nepal has now reached over 51,000 FCHVs. They are key community level CHWs in Nepal and have contributed significantly in achieving several health and related outcomes and meeting several Millennium Development Goals. In such, there is also a potential and needs for engaging them to prevent and control emerging health challenges such as non-communicable diseases prevention and control and re-emerging health issues. Their effective involvement to ongoing health programs would be critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, agenda in particular “SDG 3 – Health and Wellbeing” by 2030.

scholarly journals Community Health Workers (CHWs) to Improve Primary Health Care Services Delivery: A Case of Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHV) Program in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prakash Shahi ◽  
Pasang Tamang ◽  
Surya Bhatta ◽  
Lal Rawal
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Female Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
And Control

Community health workers (CHWs) have played a vital role in improving primary healthcare services in different parts of the world, in particular, for those services related to the prevention and control of communicable diseases, immunization services, reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and nutrition promotion. The Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) program, which was introduced in 1988 in Nepal, has now reached over 51,000 FCHVs. They are key community level CHWs in Nepal and have contributed significantly in achieving several health and related outcomes and meeting several Millennium Development Goals. In such, there is also a potential and needs for engaging them to prevent and control emerging health challenges such as non-communicable diseases prevention and control and re-emerging health issues. Their effective involvement to ongoing health programs would be critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, agenda in particular “SDG 3 – Health and Wellbeing” by 2030.

scholarly journals Gender differences and determinants of prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among adults in China and Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailiana Santosa ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Lars Weinehall ◽  
Genming Zhao ◽  
Na Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chinese Men ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Failure to promote early detection and better management of hypertension will contribute to the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to assess the gender differences in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension, together with its associated factors, in China and Sweden. Methods We used data from two cross-sectional studies: the Västerbotten Intervention Program in northern Sweden (n = 25,511) and the Shanghai survey in eastern China (n = 25,356). We employed multivariable logistic regression to examine the socio-demographics, lifestyle behaviours, and biological factors associated with the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension. Results Men had a higher prevalence of hypertension (43% in Sweden, 39% in China) than their female counterparts (29 and 36%, respectively). In Sweden, men were less aware of, less treated for, and had less control over their hypertension than women. Chinese men were more aware of, had similar levels of treatment for, and had less control over their hypertension compared to women. Awareness and control of hypertension was lower in China compared to Sweden. Only 33 and 38% of hypertensive Chinese men and women who were treated reached the treatment goals, compared with a respective 48 and 59% in Sweden. Old age, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, a family history of hypertension or cardiovascular diseases, low physical activity and overweight or obesity were found to increase the odds of hypertension and its diagnosis. Conclusions This study shows the age and gender differences in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among adults in China and Sweden. Multisectoral intervention should be developed to address the increasing burden of sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity and diabetes, all of which are linked to the prevention and control of hypertension. Development and implementation of the gender- and context-specific intervention for the prevention and control of hypertension facilitates understanding with regard to the implementation barriers and facilitators.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular risk prediction in India: Comparison of the original and recalibrated Framingham prognostic models in urban populations.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priti Gupta ◽  
David Prieto-Merino ◽  
Vamadevan S. Ajay ◽  
Kalpana Singh ◽  
Ambuj Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Prognostic Models ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Risk Approach ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in India. The CVD risk approach is a cost-effective way to identify those at high risk, especially in a low resource setting. As there is no validated prognostic model for an Indian urban population, we have re-calibrated the original Framingham model using data from two urban Indian studies. Methods: We have estimated three risk score equations using three different models. The first model was based on Framingham original model; the second and third are the recalibrated models using risk factor prevalence from CARRS (Centre for cArdiometabolic Risk Reduction in South-Asia) and ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) studies, and estimated survival from WHO 2012 data for India. We applied these three risk scores to the CARRS and ICMR participants and estimated the proportion of those at high-risk (>30% 10 years CVD risk) who would be eligible to receive preventive treatment such as statins. Results: In the CARRS study, the proportion of men with 10 years CVD risk > 30% (and therefore eligible for statin treatment) was 13.3%, 21%, and 13.6% using Framingham, CARRS and ICMR risk models, respectively. The corresponding proportions of women were 3.5%, 16.4%, and 11.6%. In the ICMR study the corresponding proportions of men were 16.3%, 24.2%, and 16.5% and for women, these were 5.6%, 20.5%, and 15.3%. Conclusion: Although the recalibrated model based on local population can improve the validity of CVD risk scores our study exemplifies the variation between recalibrated models using different data from the same country. Considering the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases in India, and the impact that the risk approach has on influencing cardiovascular prevention treatment, such as statins, it is essential to develop high quality and well powered local cohorts (with outcome data) to develop local prognostic models.

scholarly journals Effect of an Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Perception Regarding Rational Medicine Use and Self-medication

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-320
Author(s):  
Nisha Jha ◽  
Pathiyil Ravi Shankar ◽  
Anurag Marasini
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Pharmaceutical Promotion ◽  
Female Community Health Volunteers ◽  
The Mean

Background: Rational use of medicines is important for safe and cost-effective pharmacotherapy. However, nearly half of the medicines available in the market may be used irrationally. The present study assessed the perceptions and knowledge about rational medicine use and responsible self-medication among participants before and after an educational intervention at KIST Medical College, Lalitpur. Methods: An educational module was conducted among healthcare professionals, media personnel and female community health volunteers. The questionnaire was administered before and immediately after the module. The areas addressed were rational medicine use, ethical prescribing, rational drug use situation in Nepal, pharmaceutical promotion, rational self-medication, safe use of antibiotics, and drug use problems in Nepal. Results: Among healthcare professionals, the rational drug use situation in Nepal and the total score significantly increased post-intervention (p<0.05). Among media personnel the mean scores increased significantly in pharmaceutical promotion and drug use problems in Nepal areas but there was a significant decrease in safe use of antibiotics. The pre-intervention pharmaceutical promotion score was significantly higher among healthcare professionals compared to media personnel while the rational self-medication scores were highest among female community health volunteers, safe use of antibiotics scores were highest among the media personnel. Post-intervention the mean pharmaceutical promotion scores was highest among healthcare professionals, rational self-medication scores among female community health volunteers, safe use of antibiotics, drug use problems in Nepal and total scores were highest among the media personnel. Conclusions: There were differences in the mean pre-intervention scores among different subgroups. A single session may not be enough to bring about significant changes in knowledge and perception. The retention of knowledge could be measured in future studies. Keywords: Female community health volunteers; health care professionals; media; rational medicine use; self medication.

scholarly journals Effect of an Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Perception Regarding Rational Medicine Use and Self-medication

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-320
Author(s):  
Nisha Jha ◽  
Shankar Pathiyil Ravi ◽  
Marasini Anurag
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Community Health Volunteers ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Pharmaceutical Promotion ◽  
Female Community Health Volunteers ◽  
The Mean

Background: Rational use of medicines is important for safe and cost-effective pharmacotherapy. However, nearly half of the medicines available in the market may be used irrationally. The present study assessed the perceptions and knowledge about rational medicine use and responsible self -medication among participants before and after an educational intervention at KIST Medical College, Lalitpur.Methods: An educational module was conducted among healthcare professionals, media personnel and female community health volunteers. The questionnaire was administered before and immediately after the module. The areas addressed were rational medicine use, ethical prescribing, rational drug use situation in Nepal, pharmaceutical promotion, rational self-medication, safe use of antibiotics, and drug use problems in Nepal.Results:  Among healthcare professionals, the rational drug use situation in Nepal and the total score significantly increased post-intervention (p<0.05). Among media personnel the mean scores increased significantly in pharmaceutical promotion and drug use problems in Nepal areas but there was a significant decrease in safe use of antibiotics. The pre-intervention pharmaceutical promotion score was significantly higher among healthcare professionals compared to media personnel while the rational self-medication scores were highest among female community health volunteers, safe use of antibiotics scores were highest among the media personnel. Post-intervention the mean pharmaceutical promotion scores was highest among healthcare professionals, rational self-medication scores among female community health volunteers, safe use of antibiotics, drug use problems in Nepal and total scores were highest among the media personnel. Conclusions: There were differences in the mean pre-intervention scores among different subgroups. A single session may not be enough to bring about significant changes in knowledge and perception. The retention of knowledge could be measured in future studies. 

SOMA Score, cardiovascular risk screening tool for psychiatric patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s284-s285
Author(s):  
M. Páv ◽  
M. Hollý ◽  
M. Cendelínová ◽  
J. Gojda ◽  
J. Polák
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Risk Screening ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Common Diagnosis

IntroductionLife expectancy of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) is two decades shorter than that of general population. The most important cause of death are cardiovascular diseases (CVD).ObjectivesThere is a need for CVD risk screening tools development and validation in the context of the Czech Republic.AimsMethodological approach to a CVD risk screening, risk stratification and specific life-style interventions development is presented. In a context of the psychiatric hospital with c. 7000 admissions per year.MethodsThere are no concise data on CVD risk of psychiatric patients in the Czech Republic so cross-sectional analysis of one day hospitalized patients was performed.ResultsA sample of 1056 pts. was obtained. Database allowed extraction data on CVD risk factors (RF): diagnosis, age, sex, BMI and blood pressure (BP). The most common diagnosis were F20 and F10. Multicriterial analysis according to diagnosis (frequency of highest BMI and BP) showed the worst results in the F20 followed by F10 group. Would we define the CVD RF as BMI ≥ 30, age ≥ 65, sBP ≥ 140, dBP ≥ 90, then no RF is present in 368, one in 238, two in 191, three in 92 and four RF in 33 pts. Two step screening protocol was developed – SOMA score. Variables and cut-offs for positivity were set based on the results.ConclusionMethodological process of SOMA score screening is presented as well as consecutive health care interventions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.AcknowledgementThe study was realized in a framework of SOMA project, Program CZ11 Initiatives in public health care, Norway grants, NF-CZ11-OV-2-030-2015.

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