Abstract
BackgroundMinimal data is available on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension and prehypertension in Dubai. The study aims to measure the prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension and the associated socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral risk factors and comorbidities among the adult population of Dubai.MethodsThis study used data from the Dubai Household Health Survey, 2019. A cross-sectional population survey based on a complex stratified cluster random design. The total eligible sample included 2530 adults (18+). Sociodemographic and behavioral factors were considered as independent covariates. The main study outcome variables, pre-hypertension and hypertension, were ordinal, with normotension as the reference group.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hypertension in adults was 32.5% (38.37% in males and 16.66% in females). Prehypertension was prevalent in 29.8% of adults in Dubai (28.85% in males and 32.31% in females). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age groups, gender, occupation, and high Body Mass Index were significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension at the level of P < 0.05. No clear trend toward a higher correlation of hypertension was noted with the increase in age, except after the age of 50 years. Males were five- times more likely to be hypertensive than females. Participants enrolled in skilled and service works had a five times higher risk of hypertension, compared with the reference group (professionals). Obese subjects had a 5.47-times greater correlation of hypertension compared with normal-weight subjects. Physically active individuals were less likely to develop hypertension. For the correlates with prehypertension in the present analysis, skilled and service workers and those working in elementary jobs had a higher risk of prehypertension, compared with the reference group (professionals) Individuals with a status of overweight were associated with a higher prevalence of prehypertension compared with people of normal weight.ConclusionsThis study showed a high prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among adults in Dubai. Some socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors were correlated with prehypertension and hypertension among the studied population. Interventions aiming at increasing public awareness about such risk factors are essential.
Highlights
Hypertension (HTN), defined as elevated blood pressure beyond normal ranges, is recognized as one of the major non-communicable health disorders and a public health challenge worldwide [1]
The latest estimates showed that nearly one-third of the adult world population is having hypertension (31.1%, 1.39 billion); of whom two-thirds are living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [3]
The current findings demonstrated that both PHTN and HTN are prevalent among Dubai adults
Summary
Hypertension (HTN), defined as elevated blood pressure beyond normal ranges, is recognized as one of the major non-communicable health disorders and a public health challenge worldwide [1]. The Gulf countries have become one of the most affected in the region with the rising trends of HTN in the world [5] This is due to the rapid economic development, speedy urbanization, aging of the population, unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle changes that occurred during the past decades within these countries [6]. Such epidemiological transition significantly contributes to changes in disease patterns and causes a growing number of undiagnosed, diagnosed and uncontrolled hypertensive individuals in many settings [7]. The study aims to measure the prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension and the associated sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral risk factors and comorbidities among the adult population of Dubai
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