Jyoti Singh (India Science Wire)
Hypertension and diabetes are emerging as major health
challenge not just in cities but in rural areas as well, and particularly among
women. A new study says improved education, standardization of testing as well
as follow up of hypertension and diabetes after childbirth are needed in
Indian rural areas.
Women in rural areas are particularly
vulnerable to complications due to limited awareness of the risk factors for
cardio-metabolic disorders, and limited healthcare access and quality. Early
identification and counselling of women at high risk of cardio-metabolic
disorders through innovative community-level interventions may offer
opportunities to address the escalating burden of these conditions.
The study indicated that there is an
urgent need to raise awareness among rural women and healthcare workers at all
levels of the postpartum period and the long-term health of women with a history of
hypertension and gestational diabetes.
“Home-based BP monitoring by Community
Health Workers (CHWs) has been shown to be feasible and effective in several
studies, both within and outside the context of pregnancy. With the correct
support and supervision, task-sharing postpartum care with health workers may
help address the significant workforce shortages affecting specialist
obstetricians in rural India,” said Dr D Praveen, a member of the research team
at The George Institute of Public Health India.
Tackling anaemia among rural women is
also key to addressing risk factors for non-communicable diseases. “Anaemia was
identified as the most common and important high-risk condition affecting
pregnant women in study areas,” pointed out lead researcher Dr Shobana Nagraj.
The study points out that pregnant women recognize potentially negative
consequences of anaemia in pregnancy on their babies, but do not have the same
sense of urgency or recognize the impacts of the condition on their own
health.
Results from the study will form the
basis of launching a new toolkit for ASHA workers to detect cardio-vascular
risk among pregnant women, researchers said. The study was undertaken in Andhra
Pradesh and Haryana by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health,
India and UK. The study results have been published in the journal BJOG.