Observational prospective cohort study finds self-reported hypertension overestimates prevalence in women, suggesting limitations for population health data.
Key Points
Self-reported hypertension prevalence was inaccurately high in the Gambia at 12.9%, highlighting reliability issues.
Adjusted measured hypertension prevalence reached 10.4% in Mozambique and 9.3% in the Gambia versus 4.6% in Kenya.
Sensitivity for self-reported hypertension was below 45% in all countries, with specificity exceeding 89%.
Positive likelihood ratios were fair to good, influencing public health approaches to hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa.