Estimating the Prevalence and Awareness Rates of Hypertension in Africa: A Systematic Analysis
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Background: The burden of hypertension is high in Africa, and due to rapid population growth and ageing, the exact
burden on the continent is still far from being known. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and awareness rates of
hypertension in Africa based on the cut off ‘‘$140/90 mm Hg’’.
Methods: We conducted a systematic search of Medline, EMBASE and Global Health. Search date was set from January 1980
to December 2013. We included population-based studies on hypertension, conducted among people aged $15 years and
providing numerical estimates on the prevalence of hypertension in Africa. Overall pooled prevalence of hypertension in
mixed, rural and urban settings in Africa were estimated from reported crude prevalence rates. A meta-regression
epidemiological modelling, using United Nations population demographics for the years 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2030, was
applied to determine the prevalence rates and number of cases of hypertension in Africa separately for these four years.
Results: Our search returned 7680 publications, 92 of which met the selection criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of
hypertension in Africa was 19.7% in 1990, 27.4% in 2000 and 30.8% in 2010, each with a pooled awareness rate (expressed
as percentage of hypertensive cases) of 16.9%, 29.2% and 33.7%, respectively. From the modelling, over 54.6 million cases of
hypertension were estimated in 1990, 92.3 million cases in 2000, 130.2 million cases in 2010, and a projected increase to
216.8 million cases of hypertension by 2030; each with an age-adjusted prevalence of 19.1% (13.9, 25.5), 24.3% (23.3, 31.6),
25.9% (23.5, 34.0), and 25.3% (24.3, 39.7), respectively.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest the prevalence of hypertension is increasing in Africa, and many hypertensive individuals
are not aware of their condition. We hope this research will prompt appropriate policy response towards improving the
awareness, control and overall management of hypertension in Africa
Keywords
QH301 Biology, R Medicine (General)