Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors among Patients Attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima District Western Uganda

Abstract

Hypertension is an important contributor to the global burden of disease and mortality, and is a growing public concern in the developing world but data on hypertension and its associated factors among populations in the developing nations is minimal. However, in Uganda as the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), emphasis has been placed on communicable diseases which are also highly prevalent in the region. This study assessed the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among adults twenty years and above attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. A cross-sectional study design was used. The study employed qualitative and quantitative research approaches to collect data. This study found a relatively high prevalence of hypertension (17.1%) among patients attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. The prevalence of hypertension in this peri-urban study area confirms the growing public health challenge of non-communicable diseases in Uganda. However, community-based studies are required to determine the extent of this problem and the associated factors of hypertension in Ugandan communities, owing to the increasing burden of NCDs in developing countries. We need interventions that aim to reduce the associated factors identified in this study, targeting the entire population to lower the risk and prevalence of hypertension. Keywords: Hypertension, Sub-Saharan Africa, Communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases.