ObjectivesHypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries. However, there is an insufficiency of scientific evidence on the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) at a community level in the study area. The aim of the study was exploring the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Nekemte town, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 711 adults who were selected by the multistage sampling procedure. Height, weight, blood pressure and waist circumference were measured with standard procedures. Data were analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20, and multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the independent risk factors for hypertension.ResultThe overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.9% among the adult population. Of them, only 52.7% know their status, and 22.4% were on antihypertensive medication. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among the older aged; AOR 5.85 (95% CI 1.74–20), Obese and over-weighted; (AOR 1.71 (95% CI 1.09–2.67)), Khat chewers in the past year; AOR 2.44 (95% CI 1.05–5.68), and with higher formal education (college and above); AOR 2.75 (95% CI 1.26–6.03) than their respective counterparts. Community-level prevention and treatment of hypertension should get due attention.

Objectives Although hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries there is inadequacy of scientific evidences on community based level of hypertension among the population. The study aimed at exploring prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Nekemte town, Ethiopia. Community based cross sectional study was conducted on 711 adults selected by multistage sampling procedure and data obtained by interview. Height, Weight, Blood Pressure and waist circumference were measured with standard procedures. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 version and multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the independent risk factors for hypertension.Result The overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.9% of which only about half (52.7%) of them knew that they were hypertensive and only 22.4% of them were on medication. Older age; age group >65 year (AOR =5.85, 95% CI; 1.74-20), 41-64 year (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI; 1.49-4.57), Obesity and overweight (AOR =1.71, 95% CI; 1.09-2.67), chat chewers in the past year (AOR =2.44, 95% CI; 1.05-5.68) and lower educational status (AOR =2.75, 95% CI; 1.26-6.03) had higher risk of hypertension.

Objectives: Hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries. However, there is an insufficiency of scientific evidence on the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) at a community level in the study area. The aim of the study was exploring the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Nekemte town, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 711 adults who were selected by the multistage sampling procedure. Height, weight, blood pressure and waist circumference were measured with standard procedures. Data were analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20, and multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the independent risk factors for hypertension. Result: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.9% among the adult population. Of them, only 52.7% know their status, and 22.4% were on antihypertensive medication. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among the older aged; AOR 5.85 (95% CI=1.74-20), Obese and over-weighted; (AOR 1.71 (95% CI=1.09-2.67), Khat chewers in the past year; AOR 2.44 (95% CI=1.05-5.68), and with higher formal education (college and above); AOR 2.75 (95% CI=1.26-6.03) than their respective counterparts. Community-level prevention and treatment of hypertension should get due attention. Keywords: Hypertension, Nekemte, Ethiopia.

Objectives Although hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries there is inadequacy of scientific evidences on community based level of hypertension among the population. The study aimed at exploring prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Nekemte town, Ethiopia. Community based cross sectional study was conducted on 711 adults selected by multistage sampling procedure and data obtained by interview. Height, Weight, Blood Pressure and waist circumference were measured with standard procedures. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 version and multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the independent risk factors for hypertension.Result The overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.9% of which only about half (52.7%) of them knew that they were hypertensive and only 22.4% of them were on medication. Older age; age group >65 year (AOR =5.85, 95% CI; 1.74-20), 41-64 year (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI; 1.49-4.57), Obesity and overweight (AOR =1.71, 95% CI; 1.09-2.67), chat chewers in the past year (AOR =2.44, 95% CI; 1.05-5.68) and lower educational status (AOR =2.75, 95% CI; 1.26-6.03) had higher risk of hypertension.