Hypertension is a leading non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factor in Nepal, estimated to affect approximately one quarter of the adult population. The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Nepal in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP).
Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling from 11 districts of Nepal from May to August 2023. Three seated BP readings were taken from each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on antihypertensive medication with a BP <140/90mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate one or two missing BP readings. In total, 7,589 were screened, with a mean age of 41.3 years and 50.4% were female. Of all participants, 1,828 (24.1%) had hypertension, of whom 833 (45.6%) were aware, and 716 (39.2%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 421 (58.8%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 23.0% had controlled BP.
The MMM campaign in Nepal identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Despite a higher proportion of hypertension among males, their awareness, treatment, and control levels were significantly lower than that in females. This study highlights the need to strengthen community-based programs to enhance the continuum of hypertension detection and management.
Zhengbang Yao, Y. Inagaki, S. Koirala et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Ghana in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90mmHg. In total, 4,203 were screened, with a mean age of 33.6 years and 29.0% were female. Of all participants, 506 (12.0%) had hypertension, of whom 73 (14.4%) were aware, and 69 (13.6%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 26 (37.7%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 5.1% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Ghana identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. It is significant to note that the annual BP screening campaign is a means to create awareness of the need to get screened and also identify individuals with high BP.
Betty Owusu-Ansah, Joseph O Kiddy-Kodua, Martin Adu-Adadey et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Thailand in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at voluntary healthcare centres throughout Thailand. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 14,390 were screened, with a mean age of 52.7 years and 60.2% were female. Of all participants, 6,377 (44.3%) had hypertension, of whom 5,137 (80.6%) were aware, and 5,066 (79.4%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 3,391 (66.9%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 53.2% had controlled BP.
The MMM campaign in Thailand identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Strategies to deliver early and effective BP control must be emphasized.
Chavalit Chotruangnapa, S. Kunanon, P. Kotruchin et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations