May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Republic of the Congo
Michel Kouala-Landa, Paterne Bakekolo, Jospin Makani-Bassakouahou, Kivié Ngolo-Letomo, Solange Mongo Ngamami, Bijou Moualengué, Eric Gibrel Kimbally-Kaky, Euclide Okolou Ibata, Cherdan Gamboulou, Rud Ampat-Efounouan, Rode Massinsa-Kibongui, Gérard Mampouya-Ondaye, Dominique Obissi, Clausina Mikolele Ahoui, Ange Antoine Abena, Thierry Gombet, Thomas Beaney, Gabriele Kerr, Neil R Poulter, Bertrand Ellenga MbollaAbstract
The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Republic of the Congo in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP).
Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at rural and urban areas of the Republic of the Congo. The screening sites were located in Brazzaville, Kintélé, Dolisie, Nkayi and Sibiti. 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, 13,406 were screened, with a mean age of 41.8 years and 51.3% were female. Of all participants, 4,672 (34.9%) had hypertension, of whom 1,876 (40.2%) were aware, and 1,040 (22.3%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 485 (46.6%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 10.4% had controlled BP.
The MMM campaign in Republic of the Congo identified substantial numbers of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. We are advocating with public authorities to effectively support this initiative and improve access to BP screening for the whole population.