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. 2025 Apr 3;66(1):290-302.
doi: 10.71480/nmj.v66i1.712. eCollection 2025 Jan-Feb.

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

Teko Blaise Mbah  1   2 , Bernadette Sandrine Lema  1   2 , Armand Boris Rikam  1   2 , Jacques Merci Baning Baning  1   2 , Serge's Bruno Ngon  1   2 , Georgette Merveille Kilama  1   2 , Divine GoufanA Ngon  1   2 , Odile Israelle Meto A Ngon  1   2 , Fabrice Peguy Thome Ebango  1   2 , Suzanne Adolphine Soppi Ebango  1   2 , Emmanuel Eroume A Egom  3   4   5
Affiliations

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

Teko Blaise Mbah et al. Niger Med J. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Cameroon; Hypertension; Lifestyle Factors; Public Health Healthcare Access; Sub-Saharan Africa; Urban Health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest related to this study. The research was conducted independently, and there are no financial, personal, or professional relationships that could influence the findings or interpretations presented in this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence of Hypertension in an Urban Cameroonian Population
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age-Stratified Prevalence of Hypertension
Figure 3
Figure 3
Association Between Income Level and Hypertension Prevalence
Figure 4
Figure 4
Medication Usage Among Hypertensive Individuals
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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