May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Egypt

Abstract

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Egypt in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at hospitals, workplaces, and public areas across Egypt. 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, 2,701 were screened, with a mean age of 41.9 years and 44.5% were female. Of all participants, 661 (24.5%) had hypertension, of whom 452 (68.4%) were aware, and 431 (65.2%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 290 (67.3%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 43.9% had controlled BP. Females had a higher prevalence of hypertension (27.3% vs 22.2%), awareness (75.9% vs 61.0%) and controlled BP (50.6% vs 37.2%) than males. The MMM campaign in Egypt identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension, underscoring a high burden and persistent gaps in detection and management. These findings highlight the need for public education, clinical management, and community-centric screening and interventions to improve BP control and reduce cardiovascular risk.