Hypertension (HTA) is a silent disease increasingly affecting people worldwide, and Senegal is no exception. With nearly 40% of the Senegalese adult population affected, HTA represents a major public health challenge. Yet, this condition often remains ignored or poorly managed due to a lack of awareness of its risks and barriers to accessing care. In this article, we will explore the causes and consequences of hypertension, as well as the specific challenges faced in Senegal. We will also discuss existing solutions to make treatments more accessible and improve the management of hypertension in Senegal.
Understanding Hypertension and Its Presence in Senegal
To better identify potential issues in a case like Senegal, it is important to understand what hypertension is and its causes.
Hypertension is a medical condition characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries.
It occurs when the heart has to make an extra effort to pump blood through the blood vessels.
This pressure is generally measured using two numbers: the systolic pressure (the maximum pressure when the heart contracts) and the diastolic pressure (the minimum pressure when the heart rests between beats).
A normal blood pressure is generally below 120/80 mmHg. Any measurement above these values is considered high, and hypertension can be classified based on its severity, ranging from mild to severe.
The causes of hypertension are multiple, ranging from hereditary factors to poor lifestyle habits, such as excessive salt consumption, obesity, lack of physical exercise, and stress.
When poorly controlled, HTA can lead to serious complications, including strokes, heart failures, myocardial infarctions, and even kidney disorders, making its treatment essential to prevent major health risks.
Causes and Symptoms of Hypertension
Nearly 90% of hypertension cases are termed “essential” or primary, meaning that no specific cause is identified. This form of hypertension is often linked to lifestyle factors or genetic predispositions.
Conversely, secondary hypertension occurs when an identifiable underlying cause is determined, such as kidney issues, hormonal disorders, or the intake of certain substances.
Kidney conditions, such as nephropathy, are common causes of secondary hypertension because they disrupt the mechanism regulating blood pressure. Furthermore, certain hormonal disorders, such as those related to the thyroid or adrenal glands, can also cause an increase in blood pressure.
Additionally, the consumption of substances such as cocaine or licorice, as well as the abrupt cessation of antihypertensive treatment, can be triggering factors.
Besides these specific causes, several factors can exacerbate or facilitate the onset of hypertension, including age, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, stress, alcohol or tobacco use, bad cholesterol, and genetics.
The problem is that hypertension is a rather discreet condition with symptoms that are not easily distinguishable from other illnesses, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, ringing in the ears, or visual disturbances.
The Challenges of Hypertension in Senegal
Hypertension is an increasing public health concern, not only globally but also in Senegal, where it affects a significant proportion of the population.
Worldwide, nearly 970 million people suffer from excessively high blood pressure, and for 19% of them, deaths are related to this condition.
Experts estimate that nearly 40% of Senegalese adults suffer from this disease, making HTA a major health issue in the country.
This high prevalence is particularly concerning in a context where dietary behaviors and lifestyles have evolved, often towards increased salt consumption and growing sedentariness.
As mentioned earlier, the risks associated with hypertension are well-known, and HTA is a major contributing factor in many serious diseases. Among these are strokes, heart diseases, and kidney failure, a condition increasingly observed, especially with dialysis in Senegal.
The incidence of hypertension varies by sex, with women being more often affected than men. About 34.7% of women suffer from this pathology, compared to 24.5% of men.
Age is also an important factor, and in Senegal, the prevalence of this disease significantly increases with the aging population. Among women, only 11% of those aged 18 to 29 are affected, but this rate climbs to 57% among those aged 60 to 69.
Problems in Diagnosing Hypertension
What greatly compromises the management possibilities is that nearly half of the people suffering from hypertension are not even aware of their condition.
Indeed, only 46% of those affected know they have hypertension, and among these, only 17% are following a medical treatment.
Blood pressure measurement, generally performed with a sphygmomanometer, yields two essential values: systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
The SBP, which represents the maximum pressure exerted on the arteries during the contraction of the heart, is the first value measured. It indicates the intensity with which the blood is pumped through the body.
The DBP, on the other hand, corresponds to the pressure measured between two heartbeats, when the heart is at rest, and it reflects the resistance exerted by the blood vessels.
A reliable diagnosis of hypertension can only be established after several blood pressure measurements, taken at different times and under resting conditions.
Indeed, temporary factors such as stress, physical exercise, or even diet can influence the results, thus making repeated monitoring necessary to obtain a more accurate reading of the patient’s health condition.
In severe cases of hypertension, a more thorough evaluation may be necessary to assess the disease’s consequences on vital organs.
An examination of the eye’s retina, performed by an ophthalmologist, is one of the most effective tools for assessing the impact of hypertension on blood vessels.
Indeed, the retina, being one of the few areas of the body where blood vessels are visible without surgical intervention, allows for the observation of the general state of blood circulation. Damage to the retina, observable during the examination, can thus indicate severe hypertension and provide crucial information about the severity of the disease.
Despite these diagnostic tools, hypertension often remains undetected in Senegal, mainly due to limited access to medical care, a shortage of diagnostic equipment in some regions, and a lack of information about the risks associated with this pathology.
The Significant Cost of Managing Hypertension in Senegal
A major concern for most Senegalese in need of medical care is the cost of various expenses such as medical consultations, purchasing medications, and the necessary biological and radiological examinations for monitoring the disease.
In Senegal, although initiatives like the Sésame Plan have been established as part of the national health strategy, their implementation remains uneven from one health facility to another.
Indeed, while it provides free coverage for some basic services, such as consultations with general practitioners, many other expenses, such as those for medications and medical examinations, are not covered by this program.
It excludes specialized consultations, which can cost up to 5,000 CFA francs (about €7.6). Furthermore, the cost of medications and the examinations necessary for monitoring hypertension are consistently the patient’s responsibility, worsening the financial situation of many Senegalese.
The majority of patients end up bearing a significant portion of the costs of their treatment. On average, 73% of the medical costs related to hypertension are borne by the patients.
This situation is even more problematic for patients suffering from both hypertension and diabetes in Senegal, where the costs of care reach much higher amounts. The total cost of care for a person with hypertension ranges between 32,000 and 37,000 CFA francs (about €50 to €56).
Today, many Senegalese rely on their relatives to help financially pay for their treatment. Others live with hypertension (sometimes without knowing it) but cannot afford the medical expenses, thus remaining at risk of worsening their condition.
How Can the Management of Hypertension Be Improved in Senegal?
Hypertension is a chronic disease that leads to serious complications if not properly treated.
It is noteworthy that Senegal is also one of the first African countries to have implemented an anti-smoking law, an important factor in arterial hypertension.
In parallel, the treatments available are varied, as hypertension can be caused by several systems in the body, often requiring a combined approach.
Each medication targets a specific system of the body, but in many cases, a combination of several treatments is necessary to achieve optimal effect.
For example, triple antihypertensive therapy combines amlodipine, valsartan, and hydrochlorothiazide to act on different mechanisms of hypertension, dilate blood vessels, regulate blood pressure, and reduce water retention, thus effectively lowering blood pressure.
However, given the high costs of medical expenses, a study highlighted an alarming figure: 93% of individuals treated for hypertension do not follow their medical prescriptions properly.
So, how can we make hypertension care more accessible in Senegal?
Sending Care to Your Loved Ones for Treating Hypertension in Senegal
To date, given the costs are too significant compared to wages, the Senegalese Ministry of Health has decided to implement simple measures to allow everyone to minimize the risks of worsening hypertension.
Promoting physical activity, regulating weight, or reducing salt intake are prevention methods used by the government to reduce new cases and improve conditions for patients suffering from hypertension.
So, how can we ensure that the Senegalese population has access to adequate medical care to fight hypertension?
In a context where distance can often be a barrier to accessing healthcare, innovative solutions like KimboCare offer a practical and secure way to support your loved ones and send or receive money in Senegal.
Thanks to this platform, it is now possible to ensure that your loved ones have access to quality healthcare without worrying about the uncertainties related to traditional money transfers.
With KimboCare, you can purchase prepaid health credits for specific medical services for your loved ones in Senegal. In just a few clicks, you designate your loved ones as beneficiaries, ensuring immediate access to the necessary care.
Each credit you send is directly used for health services, thus providing a guarantee regarding the allocation of funds.
We collaborate with rigorously selected medical partners across the country, ensuring that your loved ones receive the best care, without hidden fees or waiting times.
Once sent, your loved ones receive a notification indicating which care providers to contact, thus facilitating smooth and quick access to the medical services they need.
The Importance of Awareness and Education on Hypertension in Senegal
The management of hypertension in Senegal largely relies on raising public awareness, as a majority of patients are not aware of the impact of this disease on their health.
Therefore, the focus is on community awareness, notably through prevention campaigns and educational programs.
Every year, initiatives such as “measuring blood pressure with approved tools” are launched to encourage the population to regularly check their blood pressure. This not only helps to detect hypertension at an early stage but also empowers citizens in managing their own health.
Providing blood pressure measuring devices in homes and within communities is a key measure to improve self-monitoring and the engagement of the population in their treatment.
