Feasibility and outcome of community-based screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors in a remote rural area of South India: The Chunampet rural–Cardiovascular health assessment and management program

BACKGROUND: As committed by India in Global Action Plan, Sustainable Development Goals and National Health Policy 2017, India has the responsibility to provide accessible, affordable noncommunicable disease care to the people. Our study aimed to find out the burden of cardiovascular risk factors among hypertension and diabetic patients, through a community-based screening, in a remote rural area of South India. METHODS: A special program named “Chunampet Rural–Cardiovascular Health Assessment and Management Program” (CR-CHAMP) was launched in August and September 2017 in a Rural Health Training Center (RHTC), functioning under a private medical college in South India. In this program, participants with hypertension (HT) and diabetes (DM) were line listed from 10 remote villages, and then history, initial biochemical, hormonal, and hematological screenings were done to assess the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors among these patients, following which special consultation was offered in RHTC. RESULTS: Out of 415 eligible patients with HT and DM, 389 were approached; among them, 328 were willing to participate and were screened initially; among them, 235 were attended special consultation. Higher CVD risk was found in 21%. Prevalence of chronic kidney disease was 14%, deranged lipid profile was more than 50%, metabolic syndrome was 49%, anemia was 68%, abnormal waist-hip ratio was 56%, abdominal obesity was 59%, and overweight and obesity using body mass index (BMI) was 59%. Females' participation was more in our community-based screening procedure (66%) than male participation (34%). CONCLUSION: CR-CHAMP demonstrated feasibility and value of implementing a screening program for high-risk individuals with HT and DM for CVD risk through existing primary care in a remote rural area of South India. This will help the National Program and policymakers to plan for interventions in the remote rural area in future.