May Measurement Month 2022: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Kenya.

Hypertension is the largest contributor to the burden of disease globally, but awareness, treatment, and control rates remain low. In response to this, the annual global May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was initiated by the International Society of Hypertension in 2017. This paper summarizes the results of the 2022 MMM campaign in Kenya. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited across eight counties in Kenya. Three seated blood pressure (BP) readings were taken for each participant, along with completion of a questionnaire on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on antihypertensive medication with a BP <140/90 mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate any missing BP readings. In total, 9605 were screened, with a mean age of 43.0 years, 43.9% females and 3406 (35.5%) for the first time. Of all participants, 3167 (33.0%) had hypertension, of whom 982 (31.0%) were aware, and 936 (29.6%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 346 (37.0%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 10.9% had controlled BP. Of those on medication, the majority were on two (517; 55.2%) antihypertensive medication classes. The campaign identified significant numbers of participants with either untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Hypertension control remains alarmingly low necessitating critical evaluation of possible contributors, including awareness and treatment optimization.