SynthesisBMC public health2025
Hypertension in West Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and associated risk factors.
Synthesis in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Prevalence of hypertension among adults in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC cardiovascular disorders · 2026Pooled it
- Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based studies.BMC cardiovascular disorders · 2026Pooled it
- Patterns of blood pressure and factors associated with hypertension among young adults in Ibadan, Nigeria.BMC cardiovascular disorders · 2026Article
- Hypertension among incarcerated individuals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana: examining prevalence and correlates based on the Social Cognitive Theory.BMC public health · 2026Article
- TheInternational journal of hypertension · 2026Article
- Hypertension Among Medical Students in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Comparison of the 2025 ACC/AHA and JNC 7 Classifications.International journal of hypertension · 2026Article
- Tanzania's NCD Transition: A Comparative Analysis of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors for Hypertension Prevention Between Rural and Urban Adults.Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financingArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundHypertension remains a critical modifiable risk factor contributing to the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Despite its escalating prevalence in West Africa, comprehensive regional data on its epidemiological patterns and associated determinants remain sparse. This study addresses this gap through a systematic review and meta-analysis, synthesizing existing evidence on hypertension prevalence and its risk factors across West African populations.
methodsA comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and other sources to identify observational studies reporting hypertension prevalence or associated risk factors in adults aged ≥ 18 years in West Africa. Studies were included if they employed standardized diagnostic criteria (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg or current antihypertensive medication use). Pooled prevalence estimates and odds ratios (ORs) for key risk factors were derived using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was rigorously evaluated through prediction interval (PI), I² statistics, Q-tests, tau-squared, tau, and meta-regression analyses.
resultsThe analysis included 30 studies comprising 70,212 participants from 10 West African nations. The pooled prevalence of hypertension was estimated at 33.8% (95% CI: 29.3, 38.7%), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 99.4%; PI = 13 to 63%). Several factors were significantly associated with hypertension risk: overweight status (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.40–1.85; I² = 88.4%; PI: 0.93–2.78), obesity (OR = 2.26; 95% CI: 2.02–2.53; I² = 75.2%; PI: 1.50–3.41), alcohol use (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.05–1.44; I² = 79%; PI: 0.67–2.25), type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.52–2.59; I² = 82.2%; PI: 0.81–4.84), reduced physical activity (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.09–1.94; I² = 78.1%; PI: 0.57–3.70), and a family history of hypertension (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.31–2.32; I² = 52.6%; PI: 0.59–5.18). Smoking showed a marginal association (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.80–1.32; I² = 80.9%; PI: 0.42–2.51). Age demonstrated a strong positive association (β = 0.0537, p < 0.001), explaining 67% of the variance in the meta-regression model. Heterogeneity remained high across all risk factor analyses (I² range: 52.6–88.4%), underscoring variability in regional epidemiological patterns.
conclusionCombating West Africa’s high hypertension burden requires integrated strategies focusing on lifestyle modification, early detection, and strengthened primary healthcare systems.
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