In the 2022 Rwanda STEPwise survey of adults aged 18-69, the prevalence of prehypertension was relatively high (22.1%) whereas that of prediabetes was moderately low (4.5%), providing a basis for early detection and intervention in Rwanda.
The overall prevalence of prediabetes among Rwandan adults aged 18-69 years was 4.5%.
The overall prevalence of prehypertension was 22.1%.
Overt diabetes and hypertension prevalence was 3.0% and 16.9%, respectively.
The prevalence of the pre-disease states exceeded that of the overt diseases.
Education, residence, central-waist obesity, and cholesterol levels were significantly associated with prediabetes.
Residence, wealth status, alcohol consumption, and fruit and vegetable intake were associated with prehypertension.
The study sample was predominantly female with a median age of 39 years.
The authors conclude that Rwanda's community health-worker network could be leveraged for screening and lifestyle counselling for people at risk.
This study used a national health survey from 2022 to estimate how many Rwandan adults aged 18-69 have 'pre' conditions: blood sugar higher than normal but not yet diabetes (prediabetes), and blood pressure higher than normal but not yet hypertension (prehypertension). About 4.5% of adults had prediabetes and about 22.1% had prehypertension. For comparison, 3.0% had diabetes and 16.9% had hypertension. The researchers also looked at which factors were linked to these early-stage conditions. Prediabetes was associated with education level, where a person lives, belly (central-waist) obesity, and cholesterol levels. Prehypertension was associated with where a person lives, household wealth, alcohol consumption, and how much fruit and vegetables they eat. This research suggests that a sizeable share of Rwandan adults, especially for blood pressure, are at an early stage where prevention might still be possible. The authors propose that Rwanda's existing network of community health workers could help with screening and basic lifestyle counselling to reduce future diabetes and hypertension burdens. The findings describe associations from a survey and do not by themselves show cause and effect.
Kalinda C, Boah M, Bacyibaruta G, Cyuzuzo C, Yohannes T, Uwinkindi F, et al.. (2026). Prehypertension and prediabetes in Rwandan adults aged 18-69 years: insights from the 2022 STEPwise survey.. International journal of epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyag218