Gianfranco Parati (Italy)
St.Luca Hospital, University of Milan Department of CardiologyAuthor of 1 Presentation
BLOOD PRESSURE IN A POPULATION OF A RURAL AREA OF RWANDA: PRELIMINARY DATA
Abstract
Background and Aims
Arterial hypertension likely affects millions of people in Africa and is the most important cause of heart disease and stroke. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of hypertension is a rapid growing health threat. The aim of our study was to perform a screening of the local population living in the rural area of the District of Nyaruguru (Rwanda) to determine the prevalence of high BP.
Methods
Between February and July 2020, instructed health care providers collected some anthropometric data (such as height and weight) and measured BP three times in a sitting position with a validated oscillometric device (OMRON HEM-7322U).
Results
A total of 7336 subjects participated to the screening, with median age of 32 (IQR 21, 47) years; 4053 (55%) were female, age 35 (23, 49) years; 3283 (45%) were male, age 30 (20, 44) years (p<0.001). BMI was 20.7 (19.0, 22.3) in males and 21.8 (20.0, 23.8) in females (p<0.001). The mean of the last two BP measurements was 119.5±15.2mmHg. Males had a higher SBP 120.1±14.0mmHg compared to females 118.6±16.1mmHg (p<0.001.). SBP ≥140mmHg in 642 subjects (8.8%), without differences between males (8.4%) und females (9.0%); p=0.36.
Conclusions
Surprisingly, in a very rural peripheral region where the average age of the inhabitants is relatively low, about 9% of the subjects examined have abnormal blood pressure values. These data confirm the need to implement also in rural areas of Rwanda an adequate strategy for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.