May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Ukraine

Abstract

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Ukraine in 2023 to raise awareness of high blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at central (Kyiv), eastern (Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia), southern (Odesa) and western (Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Uzhorod) Ukraine. Three seated BP readings were taken from each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 2,438 adults were screened, with a mean age of 50.1 years and 58.7% were female. Of all participants, 1,493 (61.2%) had hypertension, of whom 1,177 (78.8%) were aware, and 1,076 (72.1%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 431 (40.1%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 28.9% had controlled BP. The gender and age-related differences in the rates of awareness, treatment involvement and BP control were revealed.