May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Georgia.

The annual global May Measurement Month screening campaign initiated by the International Society of Hypertension aims to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP) and in the absence of systematic screening is a useful surrogate indicating the size of the problem of hypertension in the general population in Georgia. May Measurement Month screening was carried out at 400 sites in Georgia in 2021, and more than 500 volunteers, including physicians (80%) and medical students (20%), carried out in the screening. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited opportunistically, and three BP readings were measured, along with a questionnaire collecting information on demographics, lifestyle, and co- morbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, based on the mean of the second and third readings, or in those on antihypertensive medication. A total of 4935 individuals were screened, with a mean age of 53.6 years (SD 17.1). A total of 2836 (57.5%) were found to have hypertension, of whom 2441 (86.1%) were aware of their condition and 83.5% were on hypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 41.6% had their BP controlled (<140/90 mmHg). Of all participants with hypertension, 34.7% were controlled. May Measurement Month data highlight the scale of hypertension in Georgia, with low rates of control in those on medication. Educational interventions among the population and medical personnel to raise awareness of high BP and improve control rates are of high importance, which require strong advocacy among policy makers.

Heatwave-protective knowledge and behaviour among urban populations: a multi-country study in Tunisia, Georgia and Israel.

BACKGROUND: There is an expected increase in heatwaves globally. As such, it is imperative to have sufficient levels of heatwave-protective knowledge and behaviour in areas regularly affected by heatwaves. Our study assessed this among urban populations in Tunisia, Georgia and Israel. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional population survey in the three countries. The questionnaire focused on obtaining information on respondents' knowledge level regarding 1) symptoms due to overheating, 2) risk groups for heatwaves, 3) actions to take when someone is overheated, and 4) heatwave-protective measures. Furthermore, we asked respondents about protective measures they applied during the last heatwave. We compared the results between the countries. RESULTS: Heatwave-protective knowledge was highest in Israel, and lowest in Georgia, for all indicators except for heatwave-protective measures, for which knowledge was highest in Tunisia. Most respondents who named certain protective measures had also applied these during the last heatwave: more than 90% for all measures except for one in Tunisia and Israel, and more than 80% for all measures in Georgia. CONCLUSION: There is a need to further improve heatwave-protective knowledge in Tunisia, Georgia and Israel. One potential solution to achieve this is by implementing a National Heat Health Action Plan. Improving knowledge is a vital step before adaptive behaviour can take place.

May Measurement Month 2019: blood pressure screening results in Georgia, Europe.

May Measurement Month is a global campaign aimed at raising public awareness of hypertension and to improve the management of hypertension-the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in the population. Screening was carried out at 400 sites on a national scale. More than 500 volunteers, including physicians (80%) and students of medical universities (20%) participated in the screening. To familiarize them with the research tools and standard blood pressure (BP) measurement method, they were trained by the members of the Georgian Society of Hypertension and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health's staff. Medical societies, health-care professionals, public health workers, social mass media, and other stakeholders were actively involved in the recruitment process. A total of 13 267 (38.5% males and 61.5% females) individuals were screened. The mean age of participants was 54.7 years (SD 15.9). All participants were Caucasian. After imputation of missing BP readings, 8510 (64.1%) were found to have hypertension, out of whom 7269 (85.4%) were aware of their condition, 7232 (85.0%) were on medication, and 1278 (15.0%) were not taking any medication. Of those taking antihypertensive medication, 34.8% had their BP controlled (<140/90 mmHg). May Measurement Month detected a high proportion of participants with hypertension, with results indicating low rates of control in Georgia.