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

Abstract

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Kazakhstan in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP).

Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at shopping malls in Almaty. 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, 4,150 were screened, with a mean age of 46.2 years and 47.2% were female. Of all participants, 1,566 (37.7%) had hypertension, of whom 1,011 (64.6%) were aware, and 972 (62.1%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 487 (50.1%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 31.1% had controlled BP.

The MMM campaign in Kazakhstan identified a substantial numbers of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. These findings highlight persistent gaps in hypertension awareness, treatment coverage and BP control within the population. The results underscore the importance of expanding community-based screening initiatives and strengthening primary care strategies to improve early detection and effective long-term management of hypertension in Kazakhstan.