title: Hypertension in Bo, Sierra Leone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the prevalence of hypertension among adults in Bo, Sierra Leone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hypertension data were extracted from outpatient clinic records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mercy Hospital in urban Bo, Sierra Leone.
  
  
  METHODS
  All nonpregnant outpatients aged -15 years seen at the outpatient clinic in 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mm Hg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 3944 individuals were analyzed (mean age 38.7 years). The overall prevalence of hypertension among those aged > or = 15 years was 25.2%, with an age-adjusted prevalence of 19.6%. The prevalence of hypertension for participants aged > or = 20 years was 27.1%, with an age-adjusted prevalence of 23.6%. There were no significant differences in blood pressure by sex. The prevalence of hypertension increased significantly with age for both males and females (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of hypertension in Sierra Leone is consistent with the rates of hypertension observed in other parts of West Africa.
authors: Mercy Hospital Research Laboratory, Bo, Sierra Leone.
authors: Kate A
authors: KA
authors: Meehan
authors: Andrea J
authors: AJ
authors: Bankoski
authors: Edries
authors: E
authors: Tejan
authors: Rashid
authors: R
authors: Ansumana
authors: Umaru
authors: U
authors: Bangura
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Stenger
authors: Kathryn H
authors: KH
authors: Jacobsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012807:Sierra Leone; D055815:Young Adult