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

Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Benin in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). This article reports the results of the campaign. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at 15 sites across nine urban, semi-urban, and rural communes. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg and/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, 2,367 were screened, with a mean age of 44.0 years and 55.2% were female. Of all participants, 949 (40.1%) had hypertension, of whom 591 (62.3%) were aware, and 528 (55.6%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 192 (36.4%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 20.2% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Benin identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Measures must be taken to strengthen the prevention, detection and control of hypertension among Beninese adults.