Author:
Mosepele Mosepele,Bennett Kara,Gaolathe Tendani,Makhema Joseph M.,Mmalane Mompati,Holme Molly Pretorius,Lebelonyane Refeletswe,Ometoruwa Omolola,Mills Lisa A.,Powis Kathleen M.,Leidner Jean,Jarvis Joseph N.,Tapela Neo M.,Masupe Tiny,Mokgatlhe Lucky,Triant Virginia A.,Wirth Kathleen E.,Moshomo Thato,Lockman Shahin
Abstract
AbstractIn a population-based representative sample of adults residing in 22 communities in Botswana, a southern African country with high HIV prevalence, 1 in 4 individuals had high blood pressure. High blood pressure was less prevalent in adults with HIV than without HIV. Sixty percent of persons with high blood pressure had not previously been diagnosed. Among individuals with a prior diagnosis of high blood pressure who reported being prescribed anti-hypertension medications, almost half had elevated blood pressure, irrespective of HIV-status. One-third of adults in this setting (mainly men) declined free non-invasive blood pressure assessments in their households. In conclusion, our study highlights alarmingly high hypertension rates in the community, with low levels of awareness and control, emphasizing the urgent need for community level BP screening and active management to reach recommended targets.
Funder
U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
United States National Institute of Health (NIH) Regional Centres of Research Excellence
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Harvard University Center for AIDS Research
NIH
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC