Evaluation of blood pressure screening at the Alexandra Health Centre
Tshabalala, M.; Ferrinho, P.D.; McKenzie, A.; Reinach, S.G.; Collinson, M.
South African Medical Journal 80(8): 386-388
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 1948483 Document Number: 374611
A review of patient registers and records at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic (AHC) revealed that less than 10% of the expected number of hypertensive subjects in Alexandra are attending the twice a week hypertension clinic. In the adult outpatient department most patients are not screened for hypertension. Patients are more likely to be screened if they have symptoms suggestive of high blood pressure and are seen in the morning by a primary health care nurse. Age and sex of patients are not important determinants of hypertension screening. It is thus apparent that primary care consultations at the AHC are not used as opportunities for screening for a serious and common illness for which there is already treatment. However, before the AHC embarks on a massive case-finding programme there is a need to develop efficient and affordable treatment programmes.