Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study
Asresahegn et al. BMC Res Notes
Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study
Henok Asresahegn 0 1
Frew Tadesse 0 1
Ermias Beyene
0 Henok Asresahegn and Frew Tadesse had the same role throughout the study
1 School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Jigjiga University , Jigjiga , Ethiopia
Background: Hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries including Ethiopia. It is a silent killer and most patients are detected to have it incidentally when they are admitted to hospital for unrelated disease or subjected to pre-employment or preoperative medical checkups. Information on the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors is to be considered vital to focus and improve prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. The study design was a cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of adults aged 25-65 years who lived in Jigjiga city of eastern Ethiopia for at least 6 months. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, and blood pressure was measured using standardized instruments by trained clinical nurses. Hypertension was defined as having Systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or Diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or reported use of regular anti-hypertensive medications prescribed by professionals for raised BP. Data were entered into a computer using Epi Info Version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 16.0 for analysis. Multiple logistic regressions were fitted and Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to identify independently associated factors. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 28.3%. Family history of Hypertension [Adjusted OR 5.7; 95% CI (2.9, 10.9)], having high level of income [Adjusted OR 3.1; 95% CI (1.5, 6.3)], being male [Adjusted OR 2.4; 95% CI (1.3, 4.3)], being above grade 12 [Adjusted OR 2.2; 95% CI (1.2, 3.9)], and having BMI ≥ 25 [Adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI (1.1, 3.5)] were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: Consistent with the literatures, the prevalence of hypertension was high and may show a hidden epidemic in this population. If established with more robust and nationally representative studies, the finding calls for efficient health screening and regular checkups as well as interventions promoting healthy lifestyles. Accordingly, health promotion regarding hypertension should be provided in the population as means of primary prevention.
Hypertension; Prevalence; Determinants; Obesity; Ethiopia
Background
Hypertension is a state of elevated systemic blood
pressure which is commonly asymptomatic. It is a major
cardiovascular risk factor that is closely associated
with lethal complications like coronary artery disease,
cerebro-vascular accidents, heart and renal failure [
1
].
Hypertension is an overwhelming global challenge, which
ranks third as a means of reduction in disability-adjusted
life-years [
2
]. Besides, it is the leading cause of mortality
[
3
]. Globally, nearly one billion people have hypertension;
of these, two-thirds are in developing countries [
4
]. The
burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
in developing countries has risen sharply in recent years.
The new epidemic of hypertension and cardio-vascular
diseases is not only an important public health problem,
but it will also have a big economic impact as a significant
proportion of the productive population becomes
chronically ill or die, leaving their families in poverty [
5
].
Hypertension is a silent killer and most patients are
detected to have it incidentally when they are
admitted to hospital for unrelated disease or subjected to
pre-employment or preoperative medical checkups.
The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known,
but several factors and conditions may play a role in its
development [
1
]. Few studies indicate that the disease
has become significant public health problem especially
in the major cities of Ethiopia. According to the studies
conducted in Addis Ababa and Gondar the prevalence
of hypertension was high probably indicating a hidden
epidemic in those communities [
6, 7
]. To our knowledge,
there have not been any published studies in this regard
in Somali region of Ethiopia. Hence, we tried to find the
prevalence and associated factors of high blood pressure
among adults in the region. The findings of this study will
be useful to raise awareness among policy makers and the
public at large, about the magnitude of high blood
pressure and related risk factors of cardiovascular diseases,
and thereby, contribute to the design and
implementation of appropriate interventions.
Methods
Study population
A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly
selected adults aged 25–65 years in Jigjiga city of Somali
Regional State in Ethiopia from October to
November 2014. The Study participants were permanent
residents of Jigjiga city who have been living there at least
for 6 (...truncated)