To determine the proportion of arterial hypertension in the Republic of Congo.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2018. Screening was carried out in urban (Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Nkayi) and rural (Kouilou and Bouenza) areas in the Republic of the Congo. The screening was carried out on a voluntary basis, as part of the MMM initiative of the International Society of Hypertension (London, UK).

A total of 6169 people were screened, including 3751 men (61%) and black Africans 5793 (94%). The mean age was 30.9±14.7 years, the population was often aged from 18 to 29 years (n=4184, 67.8%). The population was on antihypertensive treatment 493 (8%). Associated factors were: diabetes (n=135, 2.2%), history of stroke (n=139, 2.3%), alcohol consumption 1608 (26.1%), current smoker (n=127, 2.1%). The average BMI was 22.6±4.3, overweight was noted in 952 cases (15.4%) and obesity in 449 cases (7.3%). The proportion of hypertension was 22.2% (n=1371). Hypertension was known (40.2%), treated (36%), treated and controlled (44.5%), controlled (16%). After adjusting for sex and age, the frequency of hypertension was 39%, and of 26.8% excluding those treated, and 48.3% including those treated.

The proportion of people treated for hypertension is low, and the people treated are poorly controlled. Actions for a wider screening of the population are necessary to improve care strategies.