May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Malawi

Abstract

Abstract May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aiming at raising awareness and screening people for blood pressure (BP) for free. Malawi started participating in 2017 due to our membership with the International Society of Hypertension, and this was done mainly to raise awareness of high BP, which could be of benefit to the population. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of participants aged 18 years and above was carried out from May to September 2021 in Blantyre and Lilongwe. All BP measurements, definition of hypertension, and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. A total of 7074 participants took part with 4348 (61.5%) being male and 2726 (38.5%) female. A total of 1525 (21.6%) participants were found to have hypertension. Of these, 84 (5.5%) were aware that they had the condition, and 81 (5.3%) of those with hypertension were on antihypertensive treatment. Of those on antihypertensive treatment, 61 (76.5%) had controlled BP. The screenings were done in just two districts and a few locations, which therefore are not representative of the whole country. This shows there is a significant need to expand screening opportunities within Malawi for early detection of hypertension to have a greater impact on the country as far as the fight against hypertension is concerned.