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

Abstract

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Georgia in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited opportunistically through convenience sampling at 268 sites across the country. 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 or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on 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, 4,291 were screened, with a mean age of 58.0 years and 63.2% were female. Of all participants, 2,979 (69.4%) had hypertension, of whom 2,793 (93.8%) were aware, and 2,774 (93.1%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 1,228 (44.3%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 41.2% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Georgia identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Antihypertensive treatment regimen noncompliance – interruption in treatment, arbitrary medication changes, etc. – remains a significant problem.