May Measurement Month is an initiative started by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and endorsed by the World Hypertension League (WHL).  This initiative started as a result of celebrations of the World Hypentension Day, which was launched by the WHL in 2005 to raise awareness around blood pressure globally. The programme has grown into a global synchronised screening campaign and took place for the first time during May 2017.

More than 100 countries took part in the inaugural year and  over 1 million people were screened, making this the world’s largest public blood pressure screening programme. Africa is not left out as the Word Health Organization estimated that the number of people affected by hypertension in Africa is highest compared other regions in the world, coupled with low awareness and control rates. Cameroon is amongst the 27 African countries participating in this programme.

MMM (May measurement month) is a cross-sectional blood pressure survey of volunteer adults (aged ≥18years). that was conducted in approximately 100 countries worldwide throughout the month of May 2017. Basic demographic data, clinical information and sitting blood pressure measured in triplicate were collected.

In Cameroon, survey kick-started on the 03/05/17, with varied screening sites; overseen by cardiologists and general practitioners. Nationwide coverage was ensured as all the 10 regions of the country were involved. A total of 16,507 participants were screened and from preliminary exploration, the oldest was 82 years and some participants previously undiagnosed of hypertension, had as average sitting blood pressures of >200/100.

Sponsors: ISH/WHL, SCC, FOCEV, CRENC.