gIncrease In Hypertension Control Rate following the Training of the Latest National- International Hypertension Management Guidelines for General Practitioners

Background: Given that primary care staff's ignorance of the most recent sources for the prevention, treatment, and management of hypertension (HTN) is one of the identified barriers to HTN control. Aims: We sought to determine the impact of training general practitioners (GPs) on the most recent national and international HTN management guidelines on the HTN control rate among patients. Methods: This before-after investigation was conducted in two parts. In phases I and II of the trial, 31 GPs vs. 886 patients with HTN and 22 GPs versus 656 patients participated. GPs received a training course on the most recent national and international HTN treatment guidelines. Before and after the intervention, the primary outcome was HTN management (systolic blood pressure < 130 and Diastolic < 80 mmHg) Results: Mean ± standard deviation Knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores of GPs before and after the intervention were 12.9 ± 1.9 vs. 13.1 ± 2.6 (P=0.003), 42.5 ± 2.9 vs. 42.9 ± 5.7 (P=0.007), and 14.6 ± 1.6 vs. 14.7 ± 1.3 (P=0.064), respectively. 338(38.1) vs. 376(57.3) patients with managed HTN, using two or more antihypertensive medicines and receiving fixed dosage combination therapy (Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide) before GP training vs. after training, respectively. Predictors of change in HTN control in the second phase, compared to the first, were age, not adding salt to meals, and the difference in the GPs' practice score, patients' BMI, and the number of antihypertensive medicines. Conclusion: To increase the community's HTN control rate, we propose periodic training programs for GPs and other primary care workers and frequent patient follow-ups.