Effectiveness of Female Community Health Volunteers Training on Hypertension Knowledge and Blood Pressure Measurement Skills in Nepal

Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) in Nepal could play a role in preventing and managing hypertension. Limited studies have been conducted on Nepal's FCHV knowledge and capacity to deliver hypertension-related counseling and services. The investigators investigate the effectiveness of training FCHVs in hypertension knowledge and blood pressure measuring skills and explore their perceptions of challenges and opportunities to deliver hypertension counseling and monitor Blood pressure in the community. The investigators conducted a quasi-experimental study design among 131 FCHVs from Namobuddha and Mandandeupur municipalities. The investigators quantitatively measured the baseline and end-line hypertension knowledge and BP measurement skills after providing a one-day training on hypertension knowledge and BP measurement. The investigators used the Hypertension Knowledge Level Scale (HK-LS) to assess the knowledge through face-to-face interviews and observed BP measurement skills using an observation checklist. The investigators used paired t-tests to see the mean difference before and after the training. The investigators performed linear regression to assess the hypertension knowledge and BP measurement skills scores with socio-demographic and FCHV's general performance. Furthermore, the investigators conducted three focus group discussions with FCHVs to explore the challenges and opportunities of FCHVs in community-based hypertension management. The investigators transcribed the recorded discussion verbatim and analyzed it using the framework analysis method