May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Nigeria

Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Nigeria in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at hospital outpatient clinics, public places and worship centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, and a questionnaire was completed to obtain information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 5,485 participants were screened, with a mean age of 46.0 years and 55.2% were female. Of all participants, 2,510 (45.8%) had hypertension, of whom 1,888 (75.2%) were aware, and 1,788 (71.2%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 925 (51.7%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 36.9% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Nigeria identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. A holistic, multi-modality intervention is needed to improve both the detection of hypertension and initiation of appropriate management.