Cardiometabolic risk burden in dar es salaam: findings from gsm foundation community screening program

Background: Cardiometabolic diseases are escalating in low- and middle-income countries undergoing rapid urbanization. In Tanzania, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes have emerged as major public health threats, yet a substantial proportion of affected individuals remain undiagnosed and untreated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of key cardiometabolic risk factors among adults who participated in a community-based screening initiative in urban Dar es Salaam. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of secondary data from a community outreach program carried out in Dar es Salaam in December 2025. Adults aged 18 years and older with complete blood pressure, anthropometric, or random blood glucose measurements were included in the study. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication. Overweight or obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥25 kg/m², and elevated random blood glucose was defined as ≥11.1 mmol/L or self-reported diabetes. Associations between cardiometabolic risk factors and participant characteristics were examined using Pearson's chi-square tests. Results: A total of 635 adults were enrolled, with a mean age of 45.0 years and a predominance of female participants (64.1%). Overall, 67.2% of participants presented with at least one cardiometabolic risk condition. Elevated systolic blood pressure was observed in 32.3% of the cohort, comprising 14.0% newly identified cases and 18.3% previously diagnosed individuals. Overweight or obesity was documented in 56.2% of participants. Hyperglycaemia was detected in 4.9% of cases, of which 0.5% were newly identified and 4.4% were previously known. Cardiometabolic risk was significantly associated with older age and female sex (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cardiometabolic risk conditions are highly prevalent among adults attending community-based screenings in urban Dar es Salaam, with over two-thirds of participants affected. Community outreach programs play a critical role in the early detection of undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes. To translate screening into tangible health gains, these initiatives must be reinforced by robust referral pathways and sustainable continuity-of-care systems.