Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among rural and urban dwellers of the Far North Region of Cameroon

[Sleeve gastrectomy for the surgical management of obesity at the Essos Hospital Center (Yaoundé, Cameroon): a retrospective case series study evaluating medium-term weight loss]

While the prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising in Africa, the practice of bariatric surgery remains limited in our country, Cameroon. Weight loss outcomes following sleeve gastrectomy (SG), the most widely used bariatric surgery technique worldwide, have not yet been studied in our context. The medical records of all patients who underwent SG in our surgery department between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2020, were reviewed retrospectively. The primary outcome studied was medium-term weight loss, one year after surgery. Weight loss was calculated using the postoperative body mass index (BMI) and the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL). Reinhold criteria were used to assess the %EWL. We collected data from the medical records of 21 patients, of whom 19 (90.5%) were female. The average age of patients was 40.3±10.8 years, with a mean BMI of 44.9±7.4 kg/m2. All patients had at least one obesity-related comorbidity. All procedures were performed laparoscopically, without conversion, with a mean duration of 192.2±52.8 min. One year after surgery, the mean BMI was 32.51±3.7 kg/m2 and the mean %EWL was 63.35±6.5%. According to Reinhold's criteria, the %EWL was considered satisfactory. In our context, SG provides satisfactory results for medium-term weight loss.

Rural-urban disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and diabetes among aging Indians

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension and diabetes are modifiable risk factors for dementia. We aimed to assess rural-urban disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions among aging Indians.

METHODS

Participants (n = 6316) were from two parallel, prospective aging cohorts in rural and urban India. Using self-report and clinical/biochemical assessments, we subdivided participants with diabetes and hypertension into undiagnosed and untreated groups. Logistic regression and Fairlie decomposition analysis were the statistical methods utilized.

RESULTS

There was a significant rural-urban disparity in undiagnosed hypertension (25.14%), untreated hypertension (11.75%), undiagnosed diabetes (16.94%), and untreated diabetes (11.62%). Further, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, such as age and tobacco use were the common contributors to the disparities in both undiagnosed hypertension and undiagnosed diabetes, whereas education and body mass index (BMI) were significant contributors to the disparity in untreated hypertension.

DISCUSSION

Rural Indians face significant healthcare disadvantages as compared to their urban counterparts, which prompts the urgent need for strategies for equitable healthcare.

Care Cascades for Hypertension in Low-Income Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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.

A comparison of unhealthy lifestyle practices among adults with hypertension aware and unaware of their hypertensive status: results from the 2013 WHO STEPS survey in Burkina Faso

BACKGROUND

We compared the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle factors between the hypertensive adults who were aware and unaware of their hypertensive status and assessed the factors associated with being aware of one's hypertension among adults in Burkina Faso.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the World Health Organization Stepwise approach to surveillance survey conducted in 2013 in Burkina Faso. Lifestyle factors analysed were fruits and vegetables (FV) consumption, tooth cleaning, alcohol and tobacco use, body mass index and physical activity.

RESULTS

Among 774 adults living with hypertension, 84.9% (95% CI: 82.2-87.3) were unaware of their hypertensive status. The frequencies of unhealthy lifestyle practices in those aware vs. unaware were respectively: 92.3% vs. 96.3%, p = 0.07 for not eating, at least, five FV servings daily; 63.2% vs. 70.5%, p = 0.12 for not cleaning the teeth at least twice a day; 35.9% vs. 42.3%, p = 0.19 for tobacco and/or alcohol use; 53.9% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.0001 for overweight/obesity and 17.1% vs, 10.3%, p = 0.04 for physical inactivity. In logistic regression analysis, older age, primary or higher education, being overweight/obese [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.2; p < 0.0001], intake of adequate FV servings daily (aOR = 2.9; p = 0.023) and non-use of alcohol and tobacco (aOR = 0.6; p = 0.028) were associated with being aware of one's hypertensive status.

CONCLUSION

Undiagnosed hypertension was very high among Burkinabè adults living with hypertension. Those aware of their hypertension diagnosis did not necessarily practise healthier lifestyles than those not previously aware of their hypertension. Current control programmes should aim to improve hypertension awareness and promote risk reduction behaviour.

Epidemiology of acutely decompensated systolic heart failure over the 2003-2013 decade in Douala General Hospital, Cameroon

AIMS

Acutely decompensated heart failure (HF) (ADHF) is a common cause of hospitalization and mortality worldwide. This study explores the epidemiology and prognostic factors of ADHF in Cameroonian patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a retrospective study conducted between January 2003 and December 2013 from the medical files of patients followed at the intensive care and cardiovascular units of Douala General Hospital in Cameroon. Clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and biological data were collected from 142 patients (58.5% men; mean age 58 ± 14 years) hospitalized for ADHF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), whose left ventricular ejection fraction was <50%, or alternatively whose shortening fraction was <28%, both assessed by echocardiography. The commonest risk factors associated with HFrEF were hypertension (59.2%), diabetes mellitus (16.2%), tobacco use (14.1%), and dyslipidaemia (7.7%), respectively. The major causes of HF in hospitalized patients were hypertensive heart disease (40%, n = 57); hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (33.8%, n = 48); and ischemic heart disease (21.8%, n = 31). The most frequent comorbid conditions were atrial fibrillation (25.4%, n = 36) and chronic kidney disease (18.3%, n = 26). Major biological abnormalities included increased bilirubinemia >12 mg/L (87.5%, n = 124); hyperuricaemia >70 mg/L (84.9%, n = 121); elevated serum creatinine (65.6%, n = 93); anaemia (59.1%, n = 84); hyperglycaemia on admission >1.8 g/L (42.3%, n = 60); and hyponatraemia <135 mEq/L (26.8%, n = 38). At admission, 33.8% (n = 48) of patients had no pharmacological treatment for HF. The most frequently used therapies upon admission included furosemide (50%, n = 71), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; 40.1%, n = 57); spironolactone (35.2%, n = 50); digoxin (26%, n = 37); beta-blockers (17.7%, n = 25); angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs; 7%, n = 10); and nitrates (7.0%). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 20.4%. Factors associated with poor prognosis were systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg [odds ratio (OR) 3.88; confidence interval (CI) 1.36-11.05, P = 0.011], left ventricular ejection fraction <20% (OR 7.48; CI 2.84-19.71, P < 0.001), decreased renal function (OR 1.03; CI 1.00-1.05, P = 0.026), dobutamine use for cardiogenic shock (OR 2.74;CI 1.00-7.47, P = 0.049), pleural fluid effusion (OR 3.46; CI 1.07-11.20, P = 0.038), and prothrombin time <50% (OR 3.60; CI 1.11-11.68, P = 0.033). The use of ACEIs/ARBs was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality rate (OR 0.17; CI 0.02-0.81, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertensive heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and ischemic heart disease are the commonest causes of HF in this Cameroonian population. ADHF is associated with high in-hospital mortality in Cameroon. Hypotension, severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, renal function impairment, and dobutamine administration were associated with worst acute HF outcomes. ACEIs/ARBs use was associated with improved survival.

Hypertension prevalence, associated factors, treatment and control in rural Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a surge in the burden of hypertension, and rural communities are increasingly affected by the epidemic.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with hypertension in rural communities of the Baham Health District (BHD), Cameroon. In addition, we sought to assess awareness, treatment and control rates of hypertension among community members.

DESIGN

A community-based cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Participants from five health areas in the BHD were recruited from August to October 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

Consenting participants aged 18 years and above were included.

RESULTS

We included 526 participants in this study. The median age of the participants was 53.0 (IQR=35-65) years and 67.1% were female. The crude prevalence of hypertension was 40.9% (95% CI=36.7-45.1) with no gender disparity. The age-standardised prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% (95% CI=20.3-27.5). Five-year increase in age (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.34; 95% CI=1.23-1.44), family history of hypertension (AOR=2.22; 95% CI=1.37-3.60) and obesity (AOR=2.57; 95% CI=1.40-4.69) were associated with higher odds of hypertension after controlling for confounding. The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were 37.2% (95% CI=31.0-43.9), 20.9% (95% CI=16.0-26.9) and 22.2% (95% CI=12.2- 37.0), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of hypertension in these rural communities is associated with contrastingly low awareness, treatment and control rates. Age, family history of hypertension and obesity are the major drivers of hypertension in this community. Veracious policies are needed to improve awareness, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension in these rural communities.

Socio-economic and reproductive concomitants of abdominal adiposity and hypertension: A study on Bengali-speaking Hindu women of Habra, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Obesity and hypertension have become a global epidemic among the women, especially as they experience additional stressful events compared to men. The epidemiology of these two metabolic disorders is regulated by various biological, socio-economic, reproductive and lifestyle factors related to women. However, inconsistency in the nature and magnitude of the effects of these traits indicates exploring the areas where little emphasis has been given. In this context, the present study attempted to determine the effect of socio-economic and reproductive traits on hypertension and abdominal adiposity among women living in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. Data on socio-demographic and reproductive traits were collected from 319 adult women from both rural and urban sectors of Habra block I. Anthropometric measurements and Blood pressure levels were measured following standard protocols. Results highlighted that the prevalence of obese individuals and hypertensive individuals were 73.4 and 50.5 per cent respectively. Women with low income (OR=0.51) were at lower risk and post-menopausal women (OR=1.71) were at higher risk of developing abdominal adiposity. The risk of developing hypertension increased with higher educational attainment (OR=2.43). Post-menopausal women (OR=0.46) and shifting workers (OR=0.40) were at lower risk of developing hypertension. The risk also decreased with increased age (OR=0.96). Present study revealed that menopause is a significant event to predict abdominal adiposity and hypertension among Bengali-speaking Hindu women.

Blood pressure and burden of hypertension in Cameroon, a microcosm of Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies

OBJECTIVE

To estimate national and geography-based variations in blood pressure and burden of hypertension in Cameroon, generally called 'miniature Africa'.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science, Popline, Scopus and BDSP were searched through November 2018, for hypertension studies among Cameroonians aged at least 18 years. Hypertension was measured as SBP at least 140 mmHg or DBP at least 90 mmHg. Random-effects meta-analysis was used.

RESULTS

Twenty studies involving 46 491 participants met inclusion criteria. Overall hypertension prevalence was 30.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 27.0-34.8]: 29.6% (24.1-35.1) and 32.1% (27.2-37.1) in 1994-2010 and 2011-2018, respectively. Of hypertensive participants, only 24.4% (18.9-30.0) - 31.6% (21.0-42.3) and 20.8% (14.0-27.7) in 1994-2010 and 2011-2018, respectively - were aware of their status, 15.1% (10.6-19.6) were taking antihypertensive medications and 8.8% (5.7-11.9) - 10.4% (7.5-13.3) and 8.3% (4.4-12.3) in 1994-2010 and 2011-2018, respectively - were controlled. Hypertension prevalence varied by sex: 34.3% (30.0-38.6) for men and 31.3% (26.5-36.1) for women; ethnicity: from 3.3% (0.4-6.2) among Pygmies to 56.6% (49.4-63.8) among Bamileke; urbanity: 25.4% (17.1-33.7) for rural and 31.4% (27.3-35.5) for urban dwellers; agroecological zone: from 35.1% (28.9-41.3) in Tropical highlands to 28% (20.1-35.9) in Guinea-Savannah; and subnational region: from 36.3% (27.8-44.9) in the West to 17.1% (9.9-44.2) in the South.

CONCLUSION

Cameroon's hypertension prevalence is high and increasing whereas awareness, treatment and control are low and declining. Emerging patterns call urgently for effective campaigns to raise hypertension awareness alongside strategies for hypertension prevention and BP control.

Epidemiology of Overweight and Obesity in Adults Living in Cameroon: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to summarize current data on overweight and obesity among adults living in Cameroon.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, African Journals Online, and local databases were searched for population-based cross-sectional studies conducted in the general population from January 2000 to December 2017. A random-effects model was used to pool data.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 studies (55,155 participants) were included. The prevalence of overweight was 26.0% (95% CI: 17.6%-35.3%) based on BMI. Furthermore, the overall prevalence of obesity was 15.1% (95% CI: 9.3%-22.1%) based on BMI, 16.4% (95% CI: 10.8%-22.8%) based on waist circumference ≥ 102 cm for males and ≥ 88 cm for females, 36.7% (95% CI: 26.8%-47.2%) based on waist circumference ≥ 94 cm for males and ≥ 80 cm for females, 32.6% (95% CI: 26.9%-38.7%) based on waist to hip ratio ≥ 0.90 for males and ≥ 0.85 for females, and 31.9% (95% CI: 27.8%-36.2%) based on percent body fat ≥ 25% for males and ≥ 35% for females. Overall, the burden was higher in females compared with males; there was no difference between urban and rural settings or between studies conducted in 2000 to 2009 and 2010 to 2016.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of overweight and obesity is high among adults in Cameroon, putting many at increased risk for developing associated metabolic and cardiovascular complications.

MMM17-Cameroon, analysis and opportunities-Sub-Saharan Africa

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness on high BP and temporary increasing screening for hypertension worldwide. We here provide the results of the 2017 MMM (MMM17) edition in Cameroon. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in May 2017 nationwide. BP measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. The campaign was advertised through various media and screening stations were set-up in local markets, churches, and outpatient departments of health facilities. In all, 16 093 individuals were screened during MMM17, of whom 4595 (29.2%) had hypertension. A total of 2742 (19.8%) of individuals not receiving anti-hypertensive medication were found to be hypertensive. Of those on medication, 1048 (57.2%) had uncontrolled BP. After adjusting for age, sex, and use of BP lowing medications, systolic and diastolic BPs were significantly higher in people on anti-hypertensive treatment, with higher waist circumference. MMM17 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Cameroon, and although treatment and control rates are higher than previously reported, they are still well below optimum levels. MMM has highlighted the need for routine population-based surveys and suggests that opportunistic screening can identify significant numbers with raised BP.

Associations of anthropometric adiposity indexes with hypertension risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis including PURE-China

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The association between hypertension and obesity has been confirmed, while no agreement has been reached about which anthropometric adiposity index is the best. This meta-analysis aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the associations of hypertension risk with body mass index (BMI), waist circumstance (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and a prospective urban and rural epidemiology study from China (PURE-China) was added into this meta-analysis as an individual study.

METHODS

Systematic literature searching was conducted to identify relevant articles published up to September 2018 in CNKI, WANFANG Data, Web of Science, SinoMed, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and cross-referencing. Literature reporting the association of hypertension risk with BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR were defined as eligible. PURE-China data were analyzed and included as 1 eligible study into meta-analyses. Summary odds ratio (OR) and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were pooled using meta-analysis methods. Heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated. Subgroups based on gender, country and study design were conducted as well.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight original articles including PURE-China were included into meta-analyses, involving 309,585 subjects. WHtR had the strongest association with hypertension risk (OR, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, [CI]:1.29-2.19) and prediction ability (AUC, 70.9%; 95% CI: 67.8%-74.2%), which were also confirmed in subgroup analyses based on gender and country. However, BMI was found to have the highest prediction ability in adjusted models of PURE-China and followed WC, both of which were superior to WHtR (73.7% and 73.4% vs 73.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our overall meta-analysis further confirmed WHtR as a good indicator at discriminating those individuals at increased risk of hypertension, and in some cases, it is better than BMI, WC, and WHR.

Non-adherence to antihypertensive pharmacotherapy in Buea, Cameroon: a cross-sectional community-based study

Background

Hypertension is a challenging public health problem with a huge burden in the developing countries. Non-adherence to antihypertensive treatment is a big obstacle in blood pressure (BP) control and favours disease progression to complications. Our objectives were to determine the rate of non-adherence to antihypertensive pharmacotherapy, investigate factors associated with non-adherence, and to assess the association between non-adherence and BP control in the Buea Health District (BHD), Cameroon.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study using stratified cluster sampling was conducted in the BHD from November 2013 – March 2014. Eligible consenting adult participants had their BP measured and classified using the Joint National Committee VII criteria. The Morisky medication adherence scale was used to assess adherence to BP lowering medication. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to predict non-adherence.

Results

One hundred and eighty-three participants were recruited with mean age of 55.9 years. Overall, 67.7% (95% CI: 59.8–73.6%) of participants were non-adherent to their medications. After adjusting for age, sex and other covariates, forgetfulness (aOR = 7.9, 95%CI: 3.0–20.8), multiple daily doses (aOR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.2–5.6), financial constraints (aOR = 2.8, 95%CI: 1.1–6.9) and adverse drug effects (aOR = 7.6, 95%CI: 1.7–33.0) independently predicted non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medication. BP was controlled in only 21.3% of participants and was better in those who were adherent to medication (47.5% versus 8.2%, p <  0.01).

Conclusion

At least two of every three hypertensive patients in the Buea Health District are non-adherent to treatment. Forgetfulness, multiple daily doses of medication, financial constraints and medication adverse effects are the major predictors of non-adherence in hypertensive patients. These factors should be targeted to improve adherence and BP control, which will contribute to stem hypertension-related morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Cameroonians aged 50 years and older: A community-based study

AIMS

To assess the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in a rural elderly population (50 y and older) in Cameroon; evaluate the rates of awareness, treatment, and control of HTN in this population; and describe factors associated with HTN in this population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 501 participants aged 50 years and older were randomly recruited from May to July 2013 in a house-to-house survey of the Batibo Health District. Data were measured using standardized methods modelled after the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to Surveillance. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square, Fisher's exact or Student T test were used to compare variables. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HTN in this population. In our study population, 31% of the participants were men, with a mean age of 65.4 ± 8 years; women had a mean age of 61.4 ± 9 years. The prevalence of HTN was 57.3% (95% CI, 52.9-61.6). The awareness rate was 63.4%, treatment rate 96.7%, and control rate 32.4%. Being overweight/obese was independently associated with HTN in this group (odds ratio = 3.46; 95% CI, 2.38-5.03; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of HTN amongst the elderly in the Batibo Health District is high. Emphasis should be on patient education to improve the rates of blood pressure control amongst patients on treatment for HTN. Healthy lifestyle measures such as reduction in salt intake and increase in physical exercise should be encouraged amongst the elderly.