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May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening from Kenya
Elijah N Ogola1, Anders Barasa2, Yubrine M Gachemba3
1Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Nairobi, Ngong Road, Nairobi 00202, Kenya.
Insights
May Measurement Month 2018 in Kenya screened nearly 50,000 adults, revealing that 17.1% had hypertension. Many remained unaware, untreated, or poorly controlled, highlighting the need for continued blood pressure screening.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health Screening
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hypertension (HTN) is a leading global cause of cardiovascular death.
- A significant portion of hypertensive individuals are undiagnosed, leading to inadequate treatment and control.
- The International Society of Hypertension (ISH) launched May Measurement Month (MMM) to address this global health issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the results of the May Measurement Month 2018 (MMM18) hypertension screening campaign in Kenya.
- To assess the prevalence of hypertension and the awareness, treatment, and control rates among Kenyans.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of mass opportunistic screening in raising public awareness of blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Opportunistic screening of consenting adults across various sites in Kenya during May 2018.
- Volunteers were trained using ISH materials; measurements included blood pressure, pulse rate, weight, and height.
- Adherence to standard MMM protocol for definitions and statistical analysis, including multiple imputation.
Main Results:
- A total of 49,548 subjects were screened; 49.4% had no prior blood pressure measurement.
- After imputation, 17.1% of participants were identified as hypertensive.
- Among those with hypertension, only 30.7% were aware, 26.6% were on treatment, and 13.0% had controlled blood pressure. Alcohol use and excess weight were associated with higher BP.
Conclusions:
- The Kenyan MMM18 campaign successfully screened significantly more individuals than in 2017, enhancing public awareness.
- A substantial gap exists in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control within the Kenyan population.
- Opportunistic mass blood pressure screening is an effective strategy for increasing public awareness of hypertension.
Abstract:
Hypertension (HTN) is highly prevalent and the leading cardiovascular risk factor for death globally. A large proportion of individuals with high blood pressure (BP) are unaware leading to under treatment and poor control. To address this, the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) initiated a global mass screening campaign, the May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17), in which Kenya participated. Following the success of the campaign, its successor MMM18 was launched. Here, we present the Kenyan results for MMM18. Opportunistic screening of consenting adults was done in various sites across Kenya in May 2018, by volunteers trained using ISH material, under the co-ordination of the Kenya Cardiac Society. Blood pressure, pulse rate, weight, and height were measured by standard methods. Definitions of HTN and statistical methods all adhered to the standard MMM protocol. We screened 49 548 subjects, mean age 39.95 (15.3) years. In total, 49.4% had never had a BP measurement taken. After multiple imputation, 17.1% were hypertensive and of those who were hypertensive, 30.7% were aware, 26.6% were on antihypertensive treatment, and 13.0% had controlled BP. Alcohol use, excess weight, and treatment for HTN were associated with higher BP. The Kenyan MMM18 sites successfully screened more than three times the number screened in 2017, hence improving public awareness. Less than half the population had ever had a BP check. Less than a third of the hypertensives were aware with correspondingly poor treatment and control rates. Opportunistic mass screening is useful in raising public awareness.
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