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Gafane-Matemane LF, Craig A, Kruger R, Alaofin OS, Ware LJ, Jones ESW, Kengne AP. Hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: the current profile, recent advances, gaps, and priorities. J Hum Hypertens 2024:10.1038/s41371-024-00913-6. [PMID: 38698111 DOI: 10.1038/s41371-024-00913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Recent global and regional reports consistently confirm the high and increasing prevalence of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with poor detection, treatment, and control rates. This narrative review summarises the burden of hypertension in SSA and recent findings from community-based hypertension management strategies. We further outline prominent risk factors according to recent data and associated underlying mechanisms for hypertension development. An extensive review of literature showed that most countries have reported on the prevalence of hypertension during 2017-2023, despite limitations linked to the lack of nationally representative studies, heterogeneity of sampling and data collection methods. Task-shifting approaches that assign roles to model patients and community health workers reported improved linkage to healthcare services and adherence to medication, with inconsistent findings on blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects over time. The regularly reported risk factors include unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, increased adiposity and underweight, ageing, level of education, and/or income as well as psychosocial factors. Newer data on the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to hypertension and potential areas of intervention are reported from children and adults and include, among others, salt-handling and volume overload, endothelial function, BP dipping patterns and the role of human immunodeficiency virus . To conclude, significant strides have been made in data reporting from SSA on the burden of hypertension in the region as well as biomarker research to improve understanding and identification of areas of intervention. However, gaps remain on linkage between knowledge generation, translation, and implementation research. Coordinated studies addressing both discovery science and public health are crucial to curb hypertension development and improve management in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lebo F Gafane-Matemane
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
- SAMRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Ashleigh Craig
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Soweto, 1864, South Africa
| | - Ruan Kruger
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- SAMRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Omotayo S Alaofin
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Lisa J Ware
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Soweto, 1864, South Africa
| | - Erika S W Jones
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Groote Schuur Hospital and Kidney and Hypertension Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andre Pascal Kengne
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Dr, Parow Valley, Cape Town, 7501, South Africa
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
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Lamloum D, Fassio F, Osetinsky B, Tediosi F. Care Cascades for Hypertension in Low-Income Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1606428. [PMID: 37901590 PMCID: PMC10600349 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The hypertension care cascade (HCC) is increasingly being used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. This systematic review aims to examine HCC in low-income settings. Methods: The search strategy included articles published between January 2010 and April 2023. We excluded studies with incomplete HCC, on fragile patients or aged <18 years, reviews. We used the MOOSE guideline. Five researchers retrieved data on the survey year, country, population, HCC and diagnostic methods for hypertension. We used JBI Critical Appraisal Tools for quality assessment. Results: Ninety-five articles were analyzed. Average hypertension prevalence was 33% (95% CI: 31%-34%), lower in LICs than in LMICs (25% vs. 34%). The overall mean awareness of hypertension was 48% (95% CI: 45%-51%), its treatment was 35% (95% IC: 32%-38%) and its control 16% (95% CI: 14%-18%). In almost all steps, percentages were lower in LICs and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusion: Trends in HCC vary between countries, with poorer performance in LICs. This review highlights the need for interventions tailored to low-income settings in order to improve hypertension care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetrio Lamloum
- Department of Preventive, Restorative and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federico Fassio
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Brianna Osetinsky
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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