Abstract
Like other developing countries, Nepal is currently going through epidemiological transition along with rising burden of Non-communicable Diseases. However, since 2013, no study investigated the prevalence and determinants of hypertension in Nepal involving nationally representative sample. Therefore, this study aimed to find out the current prevalence of hypertension in Nepal and its determinants using the latest nationally representative data obtained from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016. The NDHS 2016 collected data on hypertension from 13,304 men and women aged 18 years and above from 5,520 urban and 5,970 rural households covering seven administrative provinces and three ecological zones. Participants were considered as hypertensive when their systolic blood pressure was ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure was ≥90 mmHg and/or they reported taking antihypertensive medication. A total of 19.9% study participants were diagnosed as hypertensive of which majority were male (male-24.3%, female-16.9%), ever married (ever married-21.7%, unmarried-6.1%) and residents of urban area (urban-20.9%, rural-18.3%). Hypertension prevalence has shown growing trend with the increase of age. This prevalence was also higher among rich and overweight/obese individuals. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age, male gender, better education, residence at urban area and province 4 and 5 and being overweight/obese were found positive association with having hypertension. When the determinants of hypertension were stratified by sex of the participants, difference was observed in case of age group, education and place of residence. As one out of every five individuals in Nepal are hypertensive, public health initiatives are immediately required for prevention and control of hypertension to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with this progressive disease.
Highlights
Hypertension is a form of cardiovascular disorder that results from a wide range of interconnected etiologies [1]
This study aimed to find out the current prevalence of hypertension in Nepal and its determinants using the latest nationally representative data obtained from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016
This study aimed to find out the current prevalence of hypertension in Nepal along with its determinants among adult Nepalese population using the latest nationally representative data obtained from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016
Summary
Hypertension is a form of cardiovascular disorder that results from a wide range of interconnected etiologies [1]. Untreated and uncontrolled hypertension leads to structural and functional abnormalities of cardiovascular system, which harm the vital organs of body, e.g., heart, kidneys, brain [2]. Hypertension remains one of the foremost causes of death and disability all over the world [3]. In 2001, globally 13Á5% of total premature deaths and 6Á0% of total Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) were caused by hypertension [4]. 9.4 million people expire every year due to hypertension related complications [5]. Hypertension and related complications are major contributors to death and disability in South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka [7]
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