Abstract Details

Title Hypertension Burden in Uganda: Findings from a Community-Based Screening Project

Topic Global Health

Presentation(s) IN6 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 004

Objective

Background The strongest, independent, highly prevalent, and modifiable risk factor for stroke is hypertension. Age-adjusted stroke mortality rates in countries of sub-Saharan Africa exceed most high-income countries.

Design/Methods Self-referred adults (age 17 and older) were screened for hypertension at community-based project sites operated by the Alliance for Stroke Awareness and Prevention Project (ASAPP). ASAPP provides free weekly hypertension screening, education, and counseling at five locations of religious worship in central Kampala, Uganda. Blood pressures were measured twice for each individual in the seated position by trained volunteers using automated sphygmomanometers (Microlife BP3NB1-1X). Blood pressure readings (lowest of two), age, and sex were recorded anonymously. Hypertensive readings (stage 1, >140 mm Hg systolic or >90 mm Hg diastolic; stage 2, >160 mm Hg systolic or >100 mm Hg diastolic) for all individuals screened during the initial two weeks at Rubaga Cathedral (March 2012) and Namirembe Cathedral (September 2012) were analyzed.

Results 453 individuals were screened at Rubaga Cathedral with 86 (19%) identified as hypertensive (stage 1, n=58, 12.8%; stage 2, n=28, 6.2%). Median ages were 31 for stage 1 (65.5% male) and 40 for stage 2 (71.4% male). 3 individuals had systolic blood pressure readings >180 mm Hg. 394 individuals were screened at Namirembe Cathedral with 89 (22.6%) identified as hypertensive (stage 1, n=49, 12.4%; stage 2, n=40, 10.2%). Median ages were 36 for stage 1 (67.3% male) and 55 for stage 2 (72.5% male). 17 individuals had systolic blood pressure readings >180 mm Hg. At both sites, fewer than 10% of hypertensive individuals were aware of their condition.

Conclusions Hypertension is highly prevalent among adults living in urban Uganda. The extremely low awareness in this population highlights the need for improved access to screening and education.

Authors/Disclosures
Jerome H. Chin, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAN PRESENTER	Dr. Chin has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Andrea N. Leep Hunderfund, MD (Mayo Clinic)	The institution of Dr. Leep Hunderfund has received research support from American Medical Association. The institution of Dr. Leep Hunderfund has received research support from Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine. Dr. Leep Hunderfund has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
David M. Greer, MD, FAAN (Boston University School of Medicine)	Dr. Greer has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Thieme, Inc. Dr. Greer has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for multiple. The institution of Dr. Greer has received research support from Becton, Dickinson and Company. Dr. Greer has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Greer has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.

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