Disparities in the impact of a community hypertension education programme across age, gender, race and housing type

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the extent to which the efficacy of a hypertension awareness programme in Singapore may differ based on age, gender, race and housing type (as proxy for income). Method: Pre- and post-programme survey responses on blood pressure (BP) knowledge and beliefs from 9,960 grade 5 students were assessed. Post-programme responses from 5,361 adult family members were also evaluated. Results: Female students were more likely to show better BP knowledge and beliefs. As compared to Chinese students, Malay students had lower levels of BP knowledge and attitudes, while Indian students possessed stronger attitudes. Programme efficacy among students in the most affordable housing was the least favourable. In the adult family member sample, Malay and Indian adults had higher self-confidence and intention to measure their BP in the future than the Chinese. Adult respondents in the most affordable housing possessed the least favourable beliefs towards BP measurement. Older adults, men, Malays and residents in affordable housing types had higher odds of being found with hypertension when tested at home. Conclusion: Despite the same hypertension education programme being implemented, disparities in programme impact were apparent in both student and adult sample across race, housing type and, to a lesser extent, gender. Future interventions should consider these disparities when developing health education programmes.