TITLE:
Determinants of Blood Pressure Control Related to the Patient, the Provision of Care and Access to Care: A National Hospital Survey in Gabon
AUTHORS:
Francis Ndoume Obiang, Ingrid Abebo, Christelle Akagha, Carole Fadilath Yekini, Alakoua Ludwine Ndjibah, Christian Allognon, Elsa Ayo Bivigou, Anne Marie Antchouey
KEYWORDS:
Blood Pressure Control, Determinants, Gabon
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
19,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Arterial hypertension is a major public health issue due to its increasing morbidity and mortality, largely linked to inadequate control. Objective: To determine the prevalence and determinants of blood pressure control in adults in Gabon. Patients and Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted in a hospital setting over six months in seven provinces of Gabon, including 338 hypertensive patients. Exclusion criteria were gestational hypertension, suspected secondary hypertension, acute illness, concurrent treatments, and refusal to participate. A physical examination was performed to assess blood pressure, heart rate, and anthropometric parameters. A questionnaire collected socioeconomic data, characteristics of care received, follow-up location, and health insurance status. Hypertension was considered controlled when blood pressure measured on three readings was below 140/90 mmHg. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi-Info 3.5, with significance set at 0.05. Results: The prevalence of controlled hypertension was 35%. The main factors associated with poor control included low socioeconomic status and education level, insufficient knowledge of the disease, poor adherence to treatment, and comorbidities such as diabetes. Follow-up by a cardiologist and the use of a fixed-dose combination of antihypertensive drugs were associated with better control. Conclusion: In Gabon, blood pressure control remains relatively low. This therefore necessitates improving the socio-economic status of patients, the quality of practitioners, and access to health insurance.