Prevalence of hypertension in a sample of community members in a low-income peri-urban setting in Gaborone, Botswana.

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and affects more than a quarter of the global adult population. Africa is a continent where the prevalence of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease and hypertension, is increasing rapidly. Botswana is a developing country in Sub-Saharan Africa. In such contexts the early identification of hypertension, through community screening initiatives, is an important tool for the management of cardiovascular disease in the population.

Objective: To investigate and describe the prevalence of hypertension in a sample of community members residing in a low-income peri-urban setting in Gaborone, Botswana.

Method: 364 adult participants had their blood pressures measured during a community health screening exercise. The values were analysed and categorised using the American Heart Association classification scale as either being , , or .

Results: 234/364 (64%) of participants were found to have blood pressures within normal limits. 53/364 (15%) had elevated blood pressures, 57/364 (16%) were in hypertensive stage 1 and 20/364 (5%) were in hypertensive stage 2.

Conclusions: Hypertension in Africa is a growing concern. Botswana appears to be no exception with a 36% prevalence of blood pressures being recorded. However, the majority of these were classified as or . Early identification and treatment of hypertension in these early stages can significantly decrease the risk of developing hypertension and the related systemic complications.