Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Dec 10, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 15, 2026
Community-Based Hypertension Screening to Prevent Stroke in Underserved Urban Neighborhoods in French Guiana: Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study
Background:
Hypertension is a leading contributor to stroke and cardiovascular disease in underserved populations.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate a community-based hypertension screening intervention in French Guiana’s precarious urban neighborhoods. This trial will assess whether a structured, community health mediator–led intervention reduces stroke incidence among adults residing in socioeconomically precarious areas of the Communauté d’Agglomération du Centre Littoral (CACL).
Methods:
This is a 27-month, monocentric, quasi-experimental study conducted in the CACL, targeting neighborhoods classified as precarious. Adults aged ≥18 years will be included unless they are legally protected or decline participation. Trained mediators will deliver blood pressure screening and health education through mobile units and home visits over a 24-month period. Participants with elevated readings will receive referrals and structured follow-up. The primary outcome is the change in stroke incidence before and after the intervention, using Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d’Information (PMSI) hospitalization data. Secondary outcomes include changes in the rates of other cardiovascular and renal events and antihypertensive treatment adherence. Comparisons will use interrupted time series analysis, chi-square tests, and regression models. Missing data will be evaluated, and multiple imputation will be applied as needed.
Results:
This study was funded in 2022. Patient enrollment began in September 2023. As of September 4, 2025 (the end of field interventions), 23,289 participants had benefited from the intervention, including 10,901 (46.8%) who were formally enrolled and had completed questionnaires. Follow-up telephone calls were completed until December 2025. Data analysis is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, with primary results anticipated to be published in 2026.
Conclusions:
This study will determine whether a scalable, community-mediated hypertension screening intervention reduces stroke incidence in underserved populations.
ClinicalTrial:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05814068; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05814068
International Registered Report:
DERR1-10.2196/89318
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