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May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Kenya
Elijah N Ogola1, Lilian Mbau2, Yubrine M Gachemba3
1Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Nairobi, Ngong Road, Nairobi 00202, Kenya.
Insights
May Measurement Month (MMM) screening in Kenya found 26.1% of adults have hypertension. Most were unaware, highlighting a critical gap in blood pressure control and the need for public health awareness campaigns.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a leading global cause of mortality, with poor control rates, especially in Africa.
- May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global campaign by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) to increase awareness of raised BP.
- Kenya participated in MMM in 2019, following previous years, to assess the hypertension burden and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the findings of the 2019 May Measurement Month (MMM) hypertension screening campaign in Kenya.
- To determine the prevalence of hypertension, awareness, treatment, and control rates among Kenyan adults.
- To identify factors associated with elevated blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Screening conducted at 30 sites by volunteers coordinated by the Kenya Cardiac Society.
- Participants underwent three BP readings, with the last two averaged. Heart rate, weight, height, socio-demographics, and co-morbidities were recorded.
- Hypertension defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or current antihypertensive medication use.
Main Results:
- 33,992 participants screened; mean age 42.5 years, 58.7% female. Only 27.3% had BP checked in the prior 12 months.
- After imputation, 26.1% were hypertensive. Of these, only 34.5% were aware, 31.5% were on treatment, and 59.7% of those on treatment were controlled (18.8% of all hypertensives).
- Two-thirds of hypertensive individuals were unaware. Factors associated with increased BP included hypertension treatment, overweight, obesity, previous pregnancy hypertension, and diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Lack of awareness is a significant barrier to hypertension control in Kenya.
- Public awareness programs like May Measurement Month are crucial for improving population-level BP awareness.
- Targeted interventions are needed to improve hypertension detection, treatment, and control rates.
Abstract:
Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of global mortality, but control rates remain poor because most patients, especially in Africa, are unaware. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global BP screening campaign that was initiated by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) in 2017 to raise awareness of raised BP. Following participation in 2017 and 2018, Kenya participated again in 2019 and the results are reported here. Screening was carried out in 30 sites by volunteers coordinated by the Kenya Cardiac Society. Participants had three BP readings by standard methods with the last two being averaged and recorded. Heart rate, weight, height, socio-demographic parameters, and co-morbidities were documented. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mmHg or being on treatment with at least one antihypertensive medication. A total of 33 992 participants were screened, mean age was 42.5 (SD 16.8) years and 58.7% of participants were female. Only 27.3% had their BPs checked within the preceding 12 months. After multiple imputation, 26.1% were hypertensive, of whom 34.5% were aware of their hypertension and 31.5% were on treatment. Of those on treatment, 59.7% were controlled translating to 18.8% of all hypertensives. Being on treatment for hypertension, overweight, obese or having had hypertension in previous pregnancy were associated with increased SBP and DBP, while diabetes was associated with raised SBP. Two-thirds of hypertensives were unaware. Only a third of those aware were on treatment, with about 60% of these controlled. Lack of awareness remains a significant barrier to BP control. Programmes to raise awareness such as MMM are significant in raising population awareness.
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