May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Republic of the Congo, in the context of COVID-19 pandemic
Author(s)
Kouala Landa, Christian-Michel
Bakekolo, Paterne Rog
Makani-Bassakouahou, Jospin
Ngolo Letomo, Kivié Mou-Moué
Abena, Exaucé
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
To determine the proportion of hypertension among opportunistic screenees in the Republic of the Congo, and the relationships between, blood pressure (BP), alcohol intake, and history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Screening was carried out in July and August 2021 in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Pokola, after ethical clearance had been obtained. The campaign followed the guidelines outlined in the MMM21 protocol, collecting ideally three BP readings for each participant. The screening was carried out during the partial confinement of the population, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing measures and protection against the transmission of COVID-19 were adhered to. A total of 2135 subjects were screened of which 1138 (53.3%) were male. The mean age was 29.9 ± 9.9 years (range: 18-69 years), and 2110 participants (98.8%) were of black ethnic origin. A previous COVID-19 positive test was reported in 217 (10.2%) and vaccination in 93 (4.4%). Diabetes was reported in 113 (5.3%), 16 (0.7%) were current smokers, 171 (8.0%) reported using alcohol intake at least once per month, and 539 (25.3%) reported meeting the WHO guidelines on physical activity. The proportion of participants with hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg or taking BP-lowering medication) was 34.1%, of whom 24.5% were aware, 11.9% were on medication, and only 4.0% were controlled (<140/90 mmHg). Rates of hypertension are high in the Republic of Congo, with low rates of awareness and treatment, and national authorities should address the contributing factors highlighted in this report to improve health care for the population.
Date Issued
2024-06
Date Acceptance
2024-07-01
Citation
European Heart Journal Supplements, 2024, 26 (Supplement 3), pp.iii83-iii85
ISSN
1520-765X
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Start Page
iii83
End Page
iii85
Journal / Book Title
European Heart Journal Supplements
Volume
26
Issue
Supplement 3
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for
reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for
further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for
reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for
further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39055580
Subjects
Alcohol intake
Blood pressure
Congo
COVID-19
Hypertension
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
suae070
Date Publish Online
2024-07-24