A pilot snapshot of hypertension, diabetes (screen-positive), and NCD risk indicators among women attending an urban conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone
1
Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Adolescent Health Unit, World Health Organization, Freetown, Sierra Leone
2
Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre, Freetown, Sierra Leone
3
Institute for Gender and Children Research, Freetown, Sierra Leone
4
Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
5
United Nations Population Fund, Freetown, Sierra Leone
6
Institute for Development, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension and diabetes mellitus, are rapidly rising among women globally, with urban African populations experiencing a disproportionate burden (1-6). In Sierra Leone, there is a critical lack of reliable, up-to-date data on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and NCD-related risk factors among women. This brief report aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension, screen-positive diabetes mellitus, and other key NCD risk factors among women who attended a one-day conference in Freetown.
METHODS:
We conducted an event-based cross-sectional snapshot of women aged 18 years. Data was collected using an adapted World Health Organization STEPwise surveillance questionnaire, with physical measurements including blood pressure, random blood glucose, height, and weight. Trained medical doctors administered the survey and measurements. Hypertension and screen-positive diabetes were defined using established criteria, and additional risk factors such as overweight/obesity, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical inactivity were assessed. Descriptive analysis was performed using Stata 15.
RESULTS:
A total of 99 women participated, most of whom were over 40 years old with a mean age of 51 (SD=11) years. The prevalence of hypertension was 34.2%, with more than half (55.6%) classified as pre-hypertensive. Only 32.2% of hypertensive women were aware of their condition, and just 21% were on antihypertensive medications. The prevalence of screen-positive diabetes mellitus was 6.1%. Over half (57.6%) of the women were overweight or obese, with 13.1% and 10.1% classified as Class I and II obesity, respectively. Nearly half (44.4%) reported low fruit and vegetable consumption, and close to a quarter (22%) were physically inactive.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our study reveals a high burden of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension, screen-positive diabetes, and associated NCD risk factors among women who attended a one-day conference in Freetown. The findings underscore significant gaps in awareness, screening, and management of NCDs in this population.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension and diabetes mellitus, are rapidly rising among women globally, with urban African populations experiencing a disproportionate burden (1-6). In Sierra Leone, there is a critical lack of reliable, up-to-date data on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and NCD-related risk factors among women. This brief report aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension, screen-positive diabetes mellitus, and other key NCD risk factors among women who attended a one-day conference in Freetown.
METHODS:
We conducted an event-based cross-sectional snapshot of women aged 18 years. Data was collected using an adapted World Health Organization STEPwise surveillance questionnaire, with physical measurements including blood pressure, random blood glucose, height, and weight. Trained medical doctors administered the survey and measurements. Hypertension and screen-positive diabetes were defined using established criteria, and additional risk factors such as overweight/obesity, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical inactivity were assessed. Descriptive analysis was performed using Stata 15.
RESULTS:
A total of 99 women participated, most of whom were over 40 years old with a mean age of 51 (SD=11) years. The prevalence of hypertension was 34.2%, with more than half (55.6%) classified as pre-hypertensive. Only 32.2% of hypertensive women were aware of their condition, and just 21% were on antihypertensive medications. The prevalence of screen-positive diabetes mellitus was 6.1%. Over half (57.6%) of the women were overweight or obese, with 13.1% and 10.1% classified as Class I and II obesity, respectively. Nearly half (44.4%) reported low fruit and vegetable consumption, and close to a quarter (22%) were physically inactive.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our study reveals a high burden of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension, screen-positive diabetes, and associated NCD risk factors among women who attended a one-day conference in Freetown. The findings underscore significant gaps in awareness, screening, and management of NCDs in this population.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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