Primary Prevention of Hypertension in Women in the City of Yaoundé: A Cross‑Sectional Study Using the WHO STEPS Instrument

Prévention Primaire de l'Hypertension chez les Femmes à Yaoundé : Une Étude Transversale des Attitudes et Pratiques avec l’Instrument STEPS de l’OMS

Authors

  • Valérie Ndobo 1Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. 2 Cardiology Unit, Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
  • Siddikatou Djibrilla 3 Cardiology Unit, Laquintinie Hospital, Douala, Cameroon. 4 Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
  • Leslie Beumo 1Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
  • Guillaume Ebene Manon 1Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. 2 Cardiology Unit, Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • Pamela Tumchou 5 Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Mountain University, Bafoussam, Cameroon
  • Jules Elong 6 Public Health department, University of Yaounde 1,
  • Pierre Mintom 1 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. 7 Regional Hospital of Ayos, Ayos, Cameroon
  • Chris Nadège Nganou Gnindjio 1 Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. 8Internal Medicine Unit, University teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20397511

Keywords:

Hypertension, Prevention, Attitudes, Practices, Women, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background. Hypertension is a major public health problem among women, with an increasing prevalence linked to urbanization and lifestyle changes in Cameroon. This study aimed to assess the level of preventive attitudes and practices toward hypertension among women in the city of Yaoundé. Methods. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from January to July 2024 among 429 young women in the city of Yaoundé. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPS instrument and were analyzed using R software version 4.5.0. Results. The mean age of the participants was 40.92 ± 13.65 years, ranging from 18 to 64 years. Most participants were aged 25 to 34 years (24%), married (n = 153; 35.7%), had a secondary level of education (n = 171; 39.9%), worked mainly in the private sector (n = 115; 26.8%), were overweight (n = 198; 46.2%), consumed alcohol (n = 306; 71.3%), did not engage in regular physical activity (n = 318; 74.1%), and had a family history of hypertension (n = 224; 52.2%). The distribution of preventive attitude levels showed that nearly half of the participants had appropriate attitudes (n = 205; 47.8%). However, 140 participants (32.6%) had approximate attitudes, while 77 (17.9%) demonstrated incorrect attitudes. Regarding preventive practices, harmful practices were observed in 341 participants (79.5%). In contrast, 53 participants (12.4%) showed incorrect practices, while only 35 participants (8.2%) adopted adequate practices. Conclusion. Women in Yaoundé have a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors, with insufficient overall preventive attitudes and very low adequate practices. Urgent community‑based interventions are needed to promote regular blood pressure monitoring, physical activity, healthy diet, and weight control.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. L’hypertension artérielle est un problème croissant de santé publique chez la femme au Cameroun, lié à l’urbanisation et aux changements de mode de vie. Les données sur les attitudes et pratiques préventives restent rares à Yaoundé. Nous avons évalué le niveau des attitudes et pratiques préventives vis‑à‑vis de l’hypertension chez les femmes de Yaoundé. Méthodes. Nous avons mené une étude transversale descriptive de janvier à juillet 2024 auprès de 429 femmes âgées de 18 à 64 ans à Yaoundé. Nous avons recueilli les données à l’aide d’un questionnaire pré‑testé adapté de l’instrument STEPS de l’OMS. Nous avons décrit les attitudes et pratiques en fréquences et pourcentages. Résultats. L’âge moyen était de 40,9 ± 13,7 ans. La plupart des femmes avaient 25‑34 ans (24,0 %), étaient mariées (35,7 %), avaient un niveau secondaire (39,9 %), travaillaient dans le secteur privé (26,8 %), présentaient un surpoids (46,2 %) ou une obésité (34,7 %), consommaient de l’alcool (71,3 %) et ne pratiquaient pas d’activité physique régulière (74,1 %). Un antécédent familial d’hypertension était présent chez 52,2 %. Près de la moitié (47,8 %) avaient des attitudes préventives appropriées, tandis que 32,6 % avaient des attitudes approximatives et 17,9 % des attitudes incorrectes. En revanche, seules 8,2 % des femmes avaient des pratiques préventives adéquates ; 79,5 % avaient des pratiques néfastes et 12,4 % des pratiques incorrectes. La plupart mesuraient leur tension uniquement lors des consultations médicales (66,7 %), n’avaient jamais fait de bilan lipidique (95,3 %) et ne pratiquaient pas d’activité physique régulière (73,2 %). Conclusion. Les femmes de Yaoundé présentent une forte prévalence de facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire, avec des attitudes préventives insuffisantes et des pratiques adéquates très faibles. Des interventions communautaires urgentes sont nécessaires.

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Published

05/26/2026

How to Cite

Valérie Ndobo, Siddikatou Djibrilla, Leslie Beumo, Guillaume Ebene Manon, Pamela Tumchou, Jules Elong, … Chris Nadège Nganou Gnindjio. (2026). Primary Prevention of Hypertension in Women in the City of Yaoundé: A Cross‑Sectional Study Using the WHO STEPS Instrument : Prévention Primaire de l’Hypertension chez les Femmes à Yaoundé : Une Étude Transversale des Attitudes et Pratiques avec l’Instrument STEPS de l’OMS. HEALTH RESEARCH IN AFRICA, 4(6). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20397511

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 6 (2026): Health Research in Africa

Section

Heart and Vessels

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Copyright (c) 2026 Valérie Ndobo, Siddikatou Djibrilla, Leslie Beumo, Guillaume Ebene Manon, Pamela Tumchou, Jules Elong, Pierre Mintom, Chris Nadège Nganou Gnindjio

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