Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension Among Adults in Urban Bonaberi District of Douala, Cameroon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Familiarity with behaviors that cause and prevent hypertension (HTN) varies among different Cameroonian populations. Investigations that explore what Cameroonians believe lead to HTN, and how they feel HTN can be avoided, could shape health administrative efforts to refute fictitious understandings of HTN’s development and management routines. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to assess perceptions of what causes and prevents HTN among Cameroonians. The secondary objective was to evaluate which demographic and lifestyle factors were associated with HTN within the study sample. METHODS: A 20-item, anonymous questionnaire was created to request Cameroonians’ in-person feedback from April 2022 through July 2022, relative to their demographics and what they believed causes and prevents HTN; a pre-populated list of options was available in a select-all-that-apply format. Participants’ blood pressures (BPs) were checked two times in their right arms, with the average BP utilized for analyses purposes, along with their height and weight recorded. Survey completion and measurements were performed at participants’ residences throughout the Bonaberi district of Douala, Cameroon. RESULTS: A total of 485 participants had their BPs, weights, and heights measured and completed the questionnaire. Participants’ average body mass index (BMI) was 28 kg/m2, with average systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) readings of 128 mm Hg and 76 mm Hg, respectively. Approximately 60% and 70% of participants revealed that they lack a sufficient number of fruits and vegetables, respectively, in their diets. Over 25% of the participants reported never having consumed alcohol before, whereas roughly 20% stated they currently smoke cigarettes or have in the past. The percentages (%) of participants selecting diet, weight gain, lack of exercise, stress, and witchcraft as causes of HTN were 84.9, 84.4, 84.2, 67.2, and 30.8, respectively. The percentages (%) of participants selecting exercise, regular BP checks, stress reduction, adequate rest, and diet monitoring as preventative HTN strategies were 94, 93.6, 92.8, 91.1, and 91, respectively. CONCLUSION: Individuals having a proper understanding of behaviors that cause and prevent HTN is critical to curbing the HTN epidemic. Cameroonians’ cognizance in this study of actions that facilitate or fend off HTN was encouraging, with the exception of roughly one-third of participants attributing HTN’s presence to witchcraft. Our observations align with existing research, but adds to it by revealing the necessity of future investigations to prompt participants to convey their feedback in an open-ended/ free text manner to identify and correct inaccurate assertions.