A Call to Action: Insights into Hypertension Prevalence and Management in an Urban Sub-Saharan African Population.

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a global health challenge, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries like Cameroon. Urban centers, such as Yaoundé, face increasing prevalence driven by rapid urbanization and healthcare disparities. The study objective is to assess hypertension prevalence, associated risk factors, and barriers to effective management in an urban Cameroonian population.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 as part of the HEAVEN-CIEL Hypertension Awareness Campaign. Data from 181 adults were collected through structured questionnaires and physical assessments, including blood pressure measurements. Associations with demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Hypertension prevalence was 59.67%, with rates peaking at 75.56% among individuals aged 46-60 years (p = 0.0019). Medium-income participants showed the highest prevalence at 75.56% (p = 0.043). Obesity (p = 0.0024) and high-fat diets (p = 0.0212) were significant risk factors. Alarmingly, 87.04% of hypertensive individuals were untreated, highlighting gaps in medication access and adherence.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension in Yaoundé represents a major public health concern, driven by age, socioeconomic disparities, and unhealthy lifestyle factors. The low treatment rates reflect systemic healthcare barriers. Comprehensive, culturally sensitive interventions are urgently needed to improve awareness, prevention, and management. Future research should focus on the longitudinal impacts of targeted public health strategies.