Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among adults: A community based study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background In all areas of the World Health Organization, the prevalence of hypertension was highest in Africa. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for coronary and ischemic diseases, as well as hemorrhagic stroke. However, there were scarce data concerning the magnitude and risk factors of hypertension. Thus, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Addis Ababa city. Method A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to October 2018 in Addis Ababa city. Participants aged 18 years and older recruited using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interview technique. All three WHO STEPS instruments were applied. Additionally, participants’ weight, height, waist, hip, and blood pressure (BP) were measured according to standard procedures. Multiple logistic regressions were used and Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were also calculated to identify associated factors. Results In this study, a total of 3560 participants were included.The median age was 32 years (IQR 25, 45). More than half (57.3%) of the respondents were females. Almost all (96.2%) of participants consumed vegetables and or fruits less than five times per day. Eight hundred and sixty-five (24.3%) of respondents were overweight, while 287 (8.1%) were obese. One thousand forty-one 29.24% (95% CI: 27.75–30.74) were hypertensive, of whom two-thirds (61.95%) did not know that they had hypertension. Factors significantly associated with hypertension were age 30–49 and ≥50 years (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.39–5.56) and (AOR = 8.23, 95% CI: 4.09–16.55) respectively, being male (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.18–2.99), consumed vegetables less than or equal to 3 days per week (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.21–4.93), obesity (AOR = 2.05, 95%CI: 1.13–3.71), abdominal obesity (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.10–2.64) and high triglyceride level (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.38–3.07). Conclusion In Addis Ababa, around one in three adults are hypertensive. With a large proportion, unaware of their condition. We recommend integrating regular community-based screening programs as integral parts of the health promotion and disease prevention strategies. Lifestyle interventions shall target the modifiable risk factors associated with hypertension, such as weight loss and increased vegetable consumption.

High Burden of Hypertension Among Adult Population in Rural Districts of Northwest Ethiopia: a Call for Community Based Intervention

“…Individuals aged 45-54 years, 55-64 years, and ≥65 years were 4.63, 14.40, and 19.37 times more likely to have hypertension as compared to the age group of 18-24 years, respectively. This was consistent with those studies conducted in Amhara regional state, Ethiopia(62), Dabat HDSS(84), Dabat district and Gondar city (32), Gondar City (33,34), Northern Ethiopia(63), Addis Ababa (40,42,81), Tigray(80), Durame town(38), Wolega(85), Sidama Zone(64, 86), Hawassa University (35), Jimma town (87), Bedele town(88), Dire Dawa city(89), Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site(56). Studies conducted in Uganda(68), Cameroon (57,72), Southern Rajasthan(60), South India(59), India (73), China (90), and urban Varanasi(91) also showed that older age was associated with hypertension.…”

“…This result was in line with the study conducted in Southern Rajasthan(60). However, studies conducted in urban setting of Ethiopia such as Gondar city (34), Mekelle town(80), Addis Ababa (41,42,81), Durame town (38), Hosanna town(36), and Jigjiga city(82) showed males were at risk for hypertension.…”

“…Several community based studies have been conducted in urban settings of Ethiopia and showed high prevalence of hypertension. For instance, the prevalence of hypertension ranged between 25.1% and 31.9% in Amhara region, northwest Ethiopia (30)(31)(32)(33)(34), 19.7-35.2% in Southern Ethiopia (35)(36)(37)(38), and 25-32.3% in Addis Ababa (39)(40)(41)(42).…”

Knowledge, attitude and practices of lifestyle modification and associated factors among hypertensive patients on-treatment follow up at Yekatit 12 General Hospital in the largest city of East Africa: A prospective cross-sectional study

“…Blood pressure (BP) is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high [ 4 ], while the level of blood pressure is greater than 140/90mmHg in adults aged 18 years or more [ 5 ]. It is commonly termed the silent killer [ 6 ].…”

Influence of contextual socioeconomic position on hypertension risk in low- and middle-income countries: disentangling context from composition

“…The study revealed that the odds of developing hypertension are elevated in those who smoke. Tobacco smoking is associated with increased arterial wall stiffness, thereby increasing the risk of developing hypertension [ 2 ].…”