May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Nepal

Abstract

Abstract May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative to screen high blood pressure (BP) in the community and increase awareness at the population level. High BP is the leading risk factor for mortality worldwide and in Nepal. This study presents the results of the 2019 MMM in Nepal. Opportunistic BP screening was conducted in 30 out of 77 districts across Nepal and aged ≥18 years at the community and public places. BP was measured three times in a seated position. A total of 74 205 individuals participated in the study, mean age 39.9 years, and 58% were male. BP measurements for the second and third readings were available for 69 292 (93.3%) individuals. The proportion of the population that were hypertensive was 27.5% (n = 20 429). Among those hypertensives, 46.3% were aware of their hypertensive status and of these, 37.5% were on antihypertensive medication. Only 54.3% of those on antihypertensive medication had their BP controlled. Of the community screened, those self reporting to have diabetes, current tobacco users, and current alcohol drinkers were 6.7%, 23.6%, and 31.9%, respectively; 20.6% of the participants were overweight, and 6.5% were obese. Since the first BP screening campaign, MMM 2017 in Nepal, the number of participants screened has largely increased over the years. MMM’s success in Nepal is through a coordinated mobilization of trained health science students and volunteers in the communities. The Nepal MMM data demonstrates that large community-based BP screening campaigns are possible in low resource settings.