141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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294950
Prevalence and trend of hypertension in sub-saharan africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based epidemiologic studies


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Samuel Abariga, MD, MS, DTM&H, Department of epidemiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Amherst, MA
Bruce Kupelnick, MA, Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
Background: Even though hypertension has been recognized as a global health problem in developing countries, its exact prevalence in Africa is unknown. The goal of this study is to quantitatively estimate the prevalence of hypertension specifically in Africa as well as their trends within the past ten years.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search of 8 electronic databases through June 2013 for population based epidemiologic studies that used either the WHO (BP ≥160/95 mmHg) or the 7th report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg) criteria to assess the prevalence of hypertension in various countries in Africa.

Results: A total of 43 studies enrolling 131 432 participants between 2002 and 2013 across 21 countries were identified and included in our review. Overall pooled prevalence of hypertension was 30% (26.4%, 33.7%). Sub group analysis by geographic region was West Africa, 21 studies 30.3% (27.3%, 33.3%); Southern Africa, 6 studies 26.9% (16.4%, 37.4%); North Africa, 4 studies 46% (34.9%, 57%) and East Africa, 12 studies 25.8% (19.8%, 31.9%). Twenty studies that reported data on both gender, involving 14684 participants showed their prevalence as follows; Male versus. Female, [27% (23.2%, 30.7%) vs. 27.2% (24.7%, 29.6% )] (p = 0.9).

Conclusion: Our systematic review found high prevalence of hypertension in Africa. Our subgroup analysis found higher prevalence of hypertension in North Africa compared with the rest of the region. There appear to be no gender difference in prevalence.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Identify the prevalence of hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa Compare the the trend of prevalence in different geographic regions in Africa

Keyword(s): Hypertension, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have contributed to the development of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) Evidence based Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) as a methodology expert with Tufts medical center Evidence Review Team involved in critical appraisal and comparative effectiveness research for clinical practice guidelines development as well as the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. I am principal investigator of Tai Chi and quality of life, with interest in comparative effectiveness research, systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 2028.0: Chronic Disease Epidemiology Poster Session 2