Improvements in Blood Pressure Control and the Hypertension Care Continuum Over 2 Years in Urban Haiti Amidst Civil Unrest

Abstract

Hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of death worldwide, yet only 8% of individuals have controlled blood pressure (BP) in low- and middle-income countries, with particular challenges in humanitarian crisis settings including Haiti. The Haiti Cardiovascular Disease Cohort, an observational population-based cohort in Port-au-Prince, offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the HTN Care Continuum in a setting of extreme poverty and civil unrest. From 2019 to 2021, 3005 adults were enrolled, with BP measured every 6 months and free clinical care provided. HTN was defined as SBP ≥ 140, DBP ≥ 90, or antihypertensive medication use. We assessed screening, awareness, treatment, and BP control (BP < 140/90 on antihypertensives) at enrollment and 24 months. Multivariable Poisson regression identified sociodemographic factors associated with BP control. Of 3005 adults, 878 had HTN at enrollment (median age 57; 62% female; 71% earned < $1/day). Among 568 hypertensive participants with 24-month follow-up, awareness increased from 67% to 95%, treatment from 40% to 71%, and BP control from 11% to 32%. Median BP decreased from 150/91 to 138/82 mmHg. Across visits, 67% had ≥ 1 controlled BP and 35% had control at more than half of visits. Younger age (18–39 vs. ≥60 years) was associated with lower BP control (PR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18–0.77). Substantial improvements in HTN care, including a threefold rise in BP control and a mean SBP decrease of 12 mmHg, are achievable even in settings of extreme adversity and humanitarian crises.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03892265