Prevalence of undetected hypertension and its association with socio-demographic and non-communicable diseases risk factors in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

This study estimated the prevalence of undetected, untreated and uncontrolled hypertension in Brunei Darussalam and the associations with socio-demographic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors. Participants were aged 18–69 years old from the national NCDs and risk factors survey in Brunei Darussalam, conducted from August 2015 to April 2016. Multiple logistic regression was applied to estimate the associations of undetected, untreated and uncontrolled hypertension with socio-demographic and NCDs risk factors. The crude prevalence of hypertension was estimated to be 40.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 37.2–43.6] in men and 32.3% (95% CI = 29.6–35.0) in women. Multivariable adjustment using logistic regression found that those who were currently married [odds ratio (OR) = 0.34, p < 0.001], have family history of hypertension (OR = 0.43, p < 0.001), reported buying food with low salt content (OR = 0.67, p = 0.039) and diabetic (OR = 0.28, p < 0.001) were found to be significantly less likely to have undetected hypertension. Amongst those who were previously diagnosed with hypertension, younger age groups, tobacco use and having no other NCDs diagnosis were found to have significantly higher odds of having untreated hypertension. Amongst those who were on antihypertensive treatment, having body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m2 and above was significantly associated with lower odds of uncontrolled hypertension. More than one-third (35.8%) of the adult population in Brunei Darussalam were found to have hypertension. Among them, over one-quarter (28.6%) of hypertension cases were not previously detected. Amongst those previously diagnosed with hypertension, more than one-third (35.1%) were not treated or on antihypertensive medication. Screening for hypertension should be emphasised in public health education and media campaigns so that hypertension can be detected and treated earlier.