Abstract
BackgroundSouth Asian males constitute the largest proportion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. Minimal data is available on the prevalence of hypertension among South Asian immigrants in the UAE. We determined the prevalence, associated factors, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among male South Asian immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh residing in the UAE.MethodsWe recruited a representative sample (n = 1375; 76.4 % participation rate) of South Asian adult (≥18 years) immigrant males, including Indian (n = 433), Pakistani (n = 383) and Bangladeshi (n = 559) nationalities in Al Ain, UAE (January-June 2012). Blood pressure, height, body mass, waist and hip circumference data were obtained using standard protocols. Information related to socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, history of diagnosis and treatment of hypertension was collected through a pilot-tested adapted version of the STEPS instrument, developed by the World Health Organization for the measurement of non-communicable disease risk factors at the country level .ResultsMean age of participants was 34.0 years (95 % confidence interval (CI): 33.4, 34.5 years) and the overall prevalence of hypertension was 30.5 % (95 % CI 28.0, 32.8). In this study, 62 % of study participants had never had their blood pressure measured. Over three quarters (76 %) of the sample classified as hypertensive were not aware of their condition. Less than half (48.5 %) of the sample that were aware of their hypertension reported using antihypertensive medication and only 8.3 % had their hypertension under control (<140/90 mmHg). Hypertensive participants were more likely to be overweight (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.43; 95 % CI 1.01, 2.01); obese (AOR = 2.49; 95 % CI: 1.51, 4.10); have central obesity (AOR = 2.01; 95 % CI 1.37, 2.92); have a family history of hypertension (AOR = 1.51; 95 % CI 1.05, 2.17); and were less likely to walk 30 minutes daily (AOR = 1.79; 95 % CI 1.24, 2.60).ConclusionsThe prevalence of hypertension in a representative sample of young male South Asian immigrants living in the UAE was relatively high. However, the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension within this population were very low. Strategies are urgently needed to improve the awareness and control of hypertension in this large population of migrant workers in the UAE.
Highlights
South Asian males constitute the largest proportion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population
The prevalence of hypertension in a representative sample of young male South Asian immigrants living in the UAE was relatively high
Our findings suggest that the assessment of common risk factors for non-communicable disease (NCD) such as body mass and blood pressure measurement should be considered for inclusion in the battery of tests required as part of the medical examination at the time of applying or renewing visas for immigrants in the UAE
Summary
South Asian males constitute the largest proportion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. We determined the prevalence, associated factors, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among male South Asian immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh residing in the UAE. Previous studies have shown that South Asian populations (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) contribute the highest proportion of the burden of cardiovascular diseases compared with any other region globally [6]. Risk factors for myocardial infarction, hypertension and type 2 diabetes are developed at a lower age in South Asians than in other ethnic groups [7, 8]. South Asian migrants living in other countries had higher death rates from coronary heart disease at relatively younger ages compared to the local population [9, 10]
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