MAY MEASUREMENT MONTH 2019: AN ANALYSIS OF BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING RESULTS IN NEPAL

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Objective: Hypertension is a leading risk factor of global deaths. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an initiative of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) to raise awareness on the importance of measuring blood pressure. Nepal has been participating in the MMM campaign since 2017. This study presents the initial results of 2019 MMM in Nepal. Design and method: An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged at least 18 years was carried out in May 2019. Data were collected from 30 out of 77 districts using structured questionnaire developed by ISH; adapted in the local language and context. Screenings were conducted in health facilities and public places using either the digital or manual sphygmomanometers. Trained volunteers were mobilized to take part in the screening. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council. Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.4 ± 15.2 years and 58% of them were female. A total of 72,320 individuals were screened, out of which the mean of the 2nd and 3rd readings was available for 66,955 {93%} individuals. The proportions of self-reported diabetes, current tobacco user and current alcohol drinkers were 6%, 24% and 22% respectively. Likewise, 27% of the participants were overweight and 12% were obese. The mean systolic blood pressure was 119 ± 14 mm Hg and mean diastolic blood pressure were 80 ± 11 mm Hg. A third of the participants {32%} were screened for blood pressure for the first time in the last one year. The proportion of hypertension was 24% {n = 15,872} with more hypertensive male {28%} than female {18%}. Among individuals with hypertension, 47% {7,507} were receiving treatment and among those under treatment, 19% {1,226} had uncontrolled blood pressure. Conclusions: These blood pressure screening results suggest higher proportion of hypertensive patients were not on treatment and only a fifth of those under treatment achieved blood pressure control in Nepal. Screening campaign such as MMM with mobilization of volunteers can be an important approach for identifying undetected or uncontrolled cases of hypertension in low resource settings like Nepal.