BPCARE Study Testing a Community Health Worker Support Program to Improve Medication Use and Blood Pressure Control in Adults with Hypertension

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether a community health worker-delivered behavioral intervention can improve medication adherence and blood pressure control among adult refugees diagnosed with hypertension who are prescribed antihypertensive medications. The study compares the BPCARE intervention to enhanced usual care, focusing on effects related to medication-taking behaviors, blood pressure control, and persistence over time. The trial is conducted within a federally qualified health center serving patients facing challenges like language barriers and limited healthcare access. Participants are randomly assigned to either the BPCARE intervention or enhanced usual care. Those in the intervention group receive a culturally tailored hypertension education booklet, a pill organizer, and two counseling sessions within the first two months after randomization. These sessions involve education on hypertension, medication adherence, motivational interviewing, problem-solving, and action planning led by trained community health workers. Both groups receive hypertension education and a home blood pressure monitor, while only the intervention group receives ongoing support from Patient Health Navigators. Participants complete baseline assessments, provide informed consent, and are trained to perform monthly pill counts and home blood pressure measurements using provided devices. Follow-up includes in-person visits at three and six months and monthly unannounced video pill counts over a six-month period. Researchers measure medication adherence through self-report questionnaires and pill counts, along with blood pressure changes using connected devices. The study follows participants for six months to assess the impact of the intervention compared to standard care.

Blood Pressure Care for Advancing Real-World Evidence (BPCARE)