Short-term pilot feasibility study of a nurse-led intervention to improve blood pressure control after stroke in Nigeria
Abstract
Background Given the paucity of neurologists in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), task-shifting post-stroke care to nurses could be a viable avenue for enhancing post-stroke outcomes. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and short-term impact of a nurse-led intervention to manage blood pressure (BP) control in recent stroke survivors in Nigeria. Methods A randomized pilot trial allocated patients within one month of an index stroke from two participating hospitals in Nigeria to either nurse-led group clinic or standard care for 14 days. Key study endpoints were successful execution of the protocol, subject retention, and short-term BP effects. Results There were no significant differences between the intervention (n = 17) and control (n = 18) groups at baseline. At the post-intervention clinic, patient retention rate was 100%. In the intervention group, both the systolic and diastolic BPs measured at home were lower than the clinic BPs post-intervention (127 ± 12.88/78.13 ± 19.26 mmHg versus 137.50 ± 23.05/84.06 ± 9.67 mmHg; p = 0.05). However, there was no significant change in clinic blood pressure (BP) recordings in both the intervention and control groups. Conclusion It is possible to initiate a nurse-led group clinic intervention to address BP management among stroke survivors in SSA with good early retention of participants. A larger and longer-term trial is being planned.
Publication Title
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
Recommended Citation
Wahab, K., Owolabi, M., Akinyemi, R., Jenkins, C., Arulogun, O., Akpa, O., Gebregziabher, M., Uvere, E., Saulson, R., & Ovbiagele, B. (2017). Short-term pilot feasibility study of a nurse-led intervention to improve blood pressure control after stroke in Nigeria. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 377, 116-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2017.04.005
