May Measurement Month 2022: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Uganda

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was carried out in Uganda in 2022 with the aim of raising awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Here, we report on the findings of the campaign. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited opportunistically at St Francis Hospital Nsambya and Kiruddu National Referral Hospital in Kampala. Three seated BP readings were taken for each participant, along with completion of a questionnaire on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on antihypertensive medication with a BP < 140/90 mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate any missing BP readings. In total, 2414 were screened, with a mean age of 44.4 years, and 58.0% were female. Of all participants, 1086 (45.0%) had hypertension, of whom 725 (66.8%) were aware, and 691 (63.6%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 244 (35.3%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 22.5% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Uganda identified significant numbers of participants with either untreated or inadequately treated hypertension, highlighting the potential impact of this campaign on hypertension awareness and BP control.