Facilitators And Barriers to Hypertension Control, Following the Implementation of India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) In Thiruvananthapuram District – A Qualitative Study

Background: India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) was launched in 2017 to improve the control rate of hypertensive patients on treatment. Thiruvananthapuram was one of the 26 districts in the country where the programme was initially rolled out. Methods: A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted among stakeholders involved in the implementation of IHCI of Thiruvananthapuram district. Purposive sampling method was used for the selection of samples. A total of 25 in-depth interviews were carried out. Results: The major facilitators which propelled hypertension control were uniformity in drug prescription, proper documentation of patient data along with indicators for measuring control rates and a defaulter tracking mechanism. Clinical inertia among doctors, increased workload and sending of bystanders for monthly follow-up are the major barriers that affected hypertension control. Conclusions: Replication of good practices performed under IHCI into similar health settings or programmes can be encouraged. Apart from the few barriers seen at the programme level, the already existing barriers at the health system level need to be addressed immediately through efforts such as eHealth incorporation and trainings.