Key result
In Sierra Leone, hypertension prevalence was 22%, with only 23% diagnosed, 11% treated, and 5% achieving controlled blood pressure, indicating a massive loss to care.
Why the study?
To assess hypertension care in Sierra Leone using a cascade-of-care approach to identify where healthcare system interventions are most needed.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,956)
There is a massive drop-off in the hypertension care cascade in Sierra Leone, with 77% of hypertensive individuals remaining undiagnosed and only 5% achieving blood pressure control.
Indicates critical gaps in Sierra Leone hypertension care; hypothesis-generating for targeted interventions in similar low-resource settings.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the care for hypertension in Sierra Leone, by the use of a cascade-of-care approach, to identify where the need for healthcare system interventions is greatest. METHODS: Using data from a nationwide household survey on surgical conditions undertaken in 1956 participants ≥18 years from October 2019 to March 2020, a cascade of care for hypertension consisting of four categories - hypertensive population, those diagnosed, those treated and those controlled - was constructed. Hypertension was defined as having a blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 22%. Among those with hypertension, 23% were diagnosed, 11% were treated and 5% had controlled blood pressure. The largest loss to care (77%) was between being hypertensive and receiving a diagnosis. Male sex, age and living in a rural location, were significantly associated with the odds of undiagnosed hypertension. There was no significant difference between men and women in the number of patients with controlled blood pressure. Adults aged 40 or older were observed to be better retained in care compared with those younger than 40 years of age. CONCLUSION: There is a significant loss to care in the care cascade for hypertension in Sierra Leone. Our results suggest that increasing awareness of cardiovascular risk and risk factor screening for early diagnosis might have a large impact on hypertension care.
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Geraedts et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=1,956). Hypertension was evaluated on Cascade of care for hypertension (diagnosed, treated, and controlled). In Sierra Leone, hypertension prevalence was 22%, with only 23% diagnosed, 11% treated, and 5% achieving controlled blood pressure, indicating a massive loss to care.
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