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

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Cameroon in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at multiple sites (markets, churches, homes, motor parks, workplaces, and hospitals/clinics). 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, 2,353 were screened, with a mean age of 44.9 years and 62.7% were female. Of all participants, 933 (39.7%) had hypertension, of whom 651 (69.8%) were aware, and 607 (65.1%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 318 (52.4%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 34.1% had controlled BP.