Abstract P137: Socioeconomic Status And Hypertension Control In Sub-saharan Africa: The Multination Eight Study

Introduction: Systemic hypertension is a rapidly growing epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Adequacy of blood pressure(BP) control and the factors influencing it, especially the role of socio-economic status(SES) have not been well studied in this part of the world. Hypothesis: We therefore aimed to quantify the association of SES both at the individual and at the country level with BP control in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics of twelve countries, both low-income and middle-income, in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data were collected on demographics, treatment and standardized BP measures were made among the hypertensive patients attending the clinics. BP control was defined as BP Results: A total of 2198 hypertensive patients (58.4±11.8years; 39.9% male) were included, of whom 1017(46.3%) were from low-income and 1181(53.7%) from middle-income countries. Individual wealth level was low, mid and high in 376(17.6%), 1053(49.2%) and 713(33.3%) patients respectively. Uncontrolled hypertension was present in 1692 patients(77.4%) including 1044(47.7%) with ≥grade 2 hypertension. The proportion of uncontrolled hypertension progressively increased with decreasing level of patient individual wealth, respectively 72.8%, 79.3% and 81.8%(p for trend Conclusions: Low individual wealth was significantly associated with poor hypertension control, especially in low-income countries. Strategies for hypertension control in Sub-Saharan Africa should especially focus on people in the lowest individual wealth groups who also reside in low-income countries.