The overall quality of evidence based on GRADE criteria was moderate for systolic blood pressure , but low for diastolic blood pressure .
INTERPRETATION Task-sharing interventions are effective in reducing blood pressure .
BACKGROUND Task sharing for the management of hypertension could be useful for understaffed and re source -poor health systems .
We assessed the effectiveness of task-sharing interventions in improving blood pressure control among adults in low-income and middle-income countries .
Efficacy of an education course delivered to community health workers in diabetes control: A randomized clinical trial
Background Community health workers are community members who provide education and care for patients for a broad range of health issues , including diabetes mellitus . However , few community health workers are trained for diabetes education and little is known about the effectiveness of their interventions . The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a diabetes education program delivered to community health workers in improving the metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus . Methods Eight community health workers , providing care for 118 patients , were r and omized in two groups to receive a 1-month diabetes education program ( intervention , patients n = 62 ) or an education course in other health issues ( control , patients n = 56 ) . Each community health worker was responsible for transmitting the acquired knowledge to patients . Primary outcome was changed in HbA1C 3 months after the intervention . Results : participants Mean age was 61 ± 11 years , 35 % were men and 62 % were whites . HbA1c levels reduced in both groups ( intervention : 9.1 ± 2.2 vs. 7.9 ± 1.9 % ; control : 9.1 ± 2.1 vs. 8.4 ± 2.5 % , p < 0.001 ) , but no statistically significant differences were observed between groups ( p between groups = 0.13 ) . Total cholesterol ( intervention : 192 ± 43 vs. 182 ± 39 mg/dl ; control : 197 ± 44 vs. 191 ± 45 mg/dl , p between groups = 0.035 ) and triglycerides ( intervention : 158 [ 106–218 ] vs. 135 [ 106–215 ] ; control : 128 [ 100–215 ] mg/dl vs. 146 [ 102–203 ] mg/dl , p between groups = 0.03 ) reduced overtime only in intervention group . Conclusions In this study , a significant decrease in HbA1c was observed during patients ' follow-up , but it was similar in intervention and control groups . The diabetes mellitus education course delivered to community health workers was able to improve patients ’ lipid profile
The overall quality of evidence based on GRADE criteria was moderate for systolic blood pressure , but low for diastolic blood pressure .
INTERPRETATION Task-sharing interventions are effective in reducing blood pressure .
BACKGROUND Task sharing for the management of hypertension could be useful for understaffed and re source -poor health systems .
We assessed the effectiveness of task-sharing interventions in improving blood pressure control among adults in low-income and middle-income countries .