CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • SAHS Biennial Congress 16-18 September 2022 61 AFRICA Submission ID: 1382 Introduction High blood pressure is often referred to as the “silent killer” where up to 50% of patients remain undiagnosed. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global campaign, run by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), that seeks to raise awareness regarding high blood pressure and promote free blood pressure screening during Hypertension Awareness Month. South Africa has been a collaborator in this campaign since 2017. The Screening and Testing Programme for Pharmacy Students (STEPPS) at the University of the Witwatersrand has been screening for hypertension since inception, particularly during May Measurement Month. Methods From May 2022 to August 2022, the STEPPS programme screened patients for hypertension using a validated screening method at all Wits University campuses and through outreach events. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. Blood pressure was measured using an automated Omron device and was recorded simultaneously with the participants answers to the ISH standardised questionnaire on a single MMM data capture form. A total of three blood pressure readings was taken for each patient. The data was captured into Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis. Results A total of 1204 participants were screened for hypertension with an average age of 23 years (ages ranging 18-71 years). Forty-three participants were found to have systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings within hypertensive range with an additional 23 having isolated systolic hypertension. Isolated diastolic hypertension was reported in 134 participants. In total 200 participants (16.61%) that met the range classification for hypertension were identified and referred for assistance. Conclusion The MMM campaign proved to be a practical and effective campaign for identifying participants to be referred for follow-up for high blood pressure and for spreading awareness in promoting early detection and screening for hypertension. The university campus is an ideal screening site for identifying the potential hypertension population from an early age and annual participation would be beneficial to the university population. Name: Presenting Author Information Article Category Abstract Title University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy division ane.orchard@wits.ac.za English Abstract Clinical Results for the May Measurement Month global campaign from a university campus Author Affiliation: Email: Ane’ Orchard Authors Name & Surname Title Expertise Affiliation Email Country Ane’ Orchard Dr Pharmacist University of the Witwatersrand ane.orchard@wits.ac.za South Africa Fatima Kathrada Mrs Pharmacist University of the Witwatersrand fatima.kathrada@wits.ac.za South Africa Muhammed Vally Mr Pharmacist University of the Witwatersrand muhammed.vally@wits.ac.za South Africa Razeeya Khan Ms Pharmacist University of the Witwatersrand razeeya.khan@wits.ac.za South Africa Amber Cheng Miss Pharmacist University of the Witwatersrand amber.cheng@wits.ac.za South Africa POSTER PRESENTATION
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