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The May Measurement Month (MMM) 2019 campaign aimed to raise awareness of the health issues surrounding raised blood pressure (BP) among the general public. It also sought to identify and facilitate reduction of BPs of participants who require intervention to lower their BP according to current country treatment guidelines. Participants aged ≥18 years were recruited on site through interactions with the study team, educational fliers, and as voluntary walk-ins in response to the media engagement prior to the campaign. Blood pressures were measured using validated upper-arm cuff electronic devices provided by Omron Healthcare in partnership with International Society of Hypertension. With the participant seated, their back supported and legs resting uncrossed on the ground, three BP and heart rate readings were taken and recorded, 1 min apart. Participants’ basic demographic data were also collected. Hypertension was defined as being on treatment for hypertension, or a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg (based on the mean of the last two of three readings). Of the 5459 screened participants, 1750 (32.1%) had hypertension, of whom 784 (44.8%) were aware they were hypertensive and 726 (41.5%) were on antihypertensive medication. Among those on antihypertensive treatment, 47.0% had their BP controlled (

During the May Measurement Month 2018 (MMM18) campaign, we aimed to raise hypertension awareness and measure blood pressure (BP) across different communities in Botswana. Study sites included four large villages and Gaborone (capital city). Screening sites were shopping malls, train stations, churches, and workplaces. Individuals aged ≥18 years were recruited through fliers, word of mouth, and as volunteer walk-ins at the sites. Demographic and risk factor data were collected through a questionnaire prior to measuring three BP readings per participant. Weight was measured while height was usually estimated. Hypertension was defined as: systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or taking antihypertensive medication. The mean of readings 2 and 3 was used and was estimated using multiple imputation where missing. Amongst 4599 participants whose BPs were measured, 54.5% were female, while mean age was 35.9 years. A total of 1510 (32.8%) participants were hypertensive and of those, 712 (47.1%) were aware of the hypertension. Only 35.2% of hypertensives were on antihypertensive treatment with 54.4% had controlled BP. Amongst all hypertensives, only 19.1% had controlled BP. Risk factors associated with higher BP included obesity, more than 1 unit of alcohol/week and BP measured on Sunday. Less than half (47.1%) of those identified as having hypertension during MMM18 were aware of their condition, despite the escalating prevalence of hypertension in the country. Regular BP awareness and opportunistic BP measurement campaigns like MMM are recommended to improve detection and control of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors.