title: Approach to hypertension among primary care physicians in the West Region of Cameroon: substantial room for improvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and approach of primary care physician (PCP) towards the management of hypertension in Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2012 we surveyed 77 PCPs among the 111 working in the West region of Cameroon. We used a standardized questionnaire assessing practices regarding the detection, evaluation and treatment of hypertension, and source of information about updates on hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants had a mean duration of practice of 10.1 (SD 7.6) years, and received an average of 10.5 (SD 5.8) patients daily. Most of the PCPs (80.5%, n=62) measured blood pressure (BP) for all adult patients in consultation, however, only 63.6% (n=49) used correct BP thresholds to diagnose hypertension. Sixty-seven PCPs (87.0%) ordered a minimal work-up for each newly diagnosed hypertensive patient, but only the work-up offered by 8 (10.4%) PCPs was adequate. Regarding treatment, the most commonly prescribed medications as monotherapy were loop diuretics (49.3%). Bitherapy mostly included the combination of a diuretic with other drug classes. Most of PCPs used incorrect target BP, with a general tendency of using higher target levels. PCPs received updates on hypertension management mostly through drug companies representatives (53.2%, n=41). Up to 97.4% were willing to receive continuing medical training on hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCPs' knowledge and management of hypertension is poor in this region of Cameroon. Our data point to a need for continually updating the teaching curricula of medical schools with regard to the management of hypertension, and physicians in the field should receive continuing medical education.
authors.affiliation: 1 Internal Medicine Unit, Edéa Regional Hospital, Edéa, Cameroon ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 3 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 4 National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Yaoundé Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Jean Jacques N
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Noubiap
authors.affiliation: 1 Internal Medicine Unit, Edéa Regional Hospital, Edéa, Cameroon ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 3 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 4 National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Yaoundé Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Ahmadou M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jingi
authors.affiliation: 1 Internal Medicine Unit, Edéa Regional Hospital, Edéa, Cameroon ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 3 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 4 National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Yaoundé Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Sandra Wandji
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Veigne
authors.affiliation: 1 Internal Medicine Unit, Edéa Regional Hospital, Edéa, Cameroon ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 3 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 4 National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Yaoundé Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Arnold Ewane
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Onana
authors.affiliation: 1 Internal Medicine Unit, Edéa Regional Hospital, Edéa, Cameroon ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 3 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 4 National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Yaoundé Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Edvine Wawo
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Yonta
authors.affiliation: 1 Internal Medicine Unit, Edéa Regional Hospital, Edéa, Cameroon ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 3 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 4 National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon ; 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Yaoundé Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kingue
keywords: Africa; Cameroon; Hypertension; diagnosis; management; primary care physicians (PCPs)