title: Introduction of automated blood pressure devices intended for a low resource setting in rural Tanzania.
abstract: Regular blood pressure (BP) monitoring is a cost-effective means of early identification and management of hypertensive disease in pregnancy. In much of rural sub-Saharan Africa, the ability to take and act on accurate BP measurements is lacking as a result of poorly functioning or absent equipment and/or inadequate staff education. This study describes the feasibility of using validated automated BP devices suitable for low-resource settings (LRS) in primary health-care facilities in rural Tanzania. Following a primary survey, 19 BP devices were distributed to 11 clinics and re-assessed at one, three, six, 12 and 36 months. Devices were used frequently with high levels of user satisfaction and good durability. We conclude that the use of automated BP devices in LRS is feasible and sustainable. An assessment of their ability to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality is vital.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Royal London Hospital, London, UK. ecbaker@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Elinor Chloe
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hezelgrave
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Magesa
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edmonds
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Greeff
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shennan
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001331:Automation; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000295:instrumentation; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012424:Rural Population; D013636:Tanzania