Abstract
BackgroundHypertension 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionConsistent 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.
Highlights
Hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries including Ethiopia
Regarding the self or family history of any chronic disease; 50 (10.3%), and 16 (3.3%) of the total study participants were known hypertensive, and diabetes mellitus (DM) patients respectively, Prevalence of hypertension Blood pressure measurements were done to all the study subjects to check for hypertension
CI (2.9, 10.9)], those who had high level of income were three times more likely to be hypertensive when compared to those who had low level of income [Adjusted OR 3.1; 95% CI (1.5, 6.3)], those who are male were 2.4 times more likely to be hypertensive when compared to those female participants[Adjusted OR 2.4; 95% CI (1.3, 4.3)], those who were below grade 12 were two times more likely to be hypertensive when compared to those who Discussion This study provides information regarding the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in living in the Semi-pastoralist community of eastern Ethiopia
Summary
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. 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]. The new epidemic of hypertension and cardio-vascular diseases is an important public health problem, but it will have a big economic impact as a significant proportion of the productive population becomes chronically ill or die, leaving their families in poverty [5]
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