To synthesize contemporary data on blood pressure levels and hypertension prevalence among adults in sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Findings:
Pooled prevalence of hypertension was 30.5% among 533,167 adults.
Mean systolic/diastolic BP was 128/80 mmHg, with males having higher BP levels than females.
Hypertension prevalence increased with age, from 10.6% in ages 21-30 to 66.4% in ages 71-80.
Lower prevalence of hypertension was observed in healthy weight individuals compared to overweight individuals.
Eastern Africa had the lowest prevalence of hypertension at 27.2%.
Interpretation:
The findings indicate a significant and increasing burden of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among older adults and those with higher body weight, necessitating urgent public health interventions.
Limitations:
Potential variability in definitions and measurements of hypertension across studies.
Suboptimal surveillance and reporting of blood pressure levels in many low-income countries.
Conclusion:
The study highlights a critical public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with one in three adults affected by hypertension, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address this growing health crisis.
