May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Albania

This article describes the May Measurement Month (MMM) 2021 campaign, which was the fourth time this annual hypertension screening campaign was conducted in Albania, a Mediterranean country in southeastern Europe. The MMM21 was conducted during the period of 28 September-30 November 2021, in 32 sites across several districts of Albania. Overall, 11 788 participants aged ≥18 years were included (63% women), with a mean age of 49.7 ± 14.9 years. Blood pressure (BP) was measured three times with Omron sphygmomanometers (model M3, Omron Healthcare, Kyoto, Japan), which are automatic upper arm BP monitors. Hypertension was defined as SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg (based on the mean of the second and third recordings for SBP and DBP, respectively) or on antihypertensive medication. Self-reported data included pre-existing conditions, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, COVID-19 testing, and use of contraception in women. Overall, 47.3% of screened participants had hypertension. Of those with hypertension, 70.1% were aware of their condition and 67.0% were on antihypertensive medication. About half (49.3%) of participants on antihypertensive medication had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). On average, BP was higher in those on antihypertensive medication and with increasing alcohol intake but lower in those with a history of stroke and those with higher levels of physical activity, previous positive COVID-19 test, and contraception use in women. In Albania, the MMM campaign continues to contribute to the early detection of hypertension among adults. Hence, it constitutes a valuable opportunistic screening instrument among other routine tools applied in the general Albanian population.