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

Abstract

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign, conducted in South Africa in 2023 aimed to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at university campuses, community centres, schools, sport complexes, public parks, shopping centres, hospitals, and through household visits. 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 and/or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg and/or already receiving 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, 6,653 were screened, with a mean age of 38.8 years, the majority of whom were females (56.3%). Of all participants, 1,010 (15.2%) reported never having had a BP measured before, 2,500 (37.6%) had hypertension, of whom 1,170 (46.8%) were aware, and 1,098 (43.9%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, only 633 (57.7%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, only 25.3% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in South Africa identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. The high prevalence of hypertension, despite the young adult age, together with the high proportions of individuals unaware of their hypertension and with uncontrolled BP highlight the importance of hypertension screening and awareness campaigns, and more rigorous management of hypertension, especially among young adults.