The prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women (15–49 years) in Lesotho: a descriptive analysis

Abstract

Background Hypertensive disorders are among the leading conditions for severe maternal morbidity across all regions and have a major impact on health care costs. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and its associated socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women of the reproductive ages in Lesotho. Methods The study used the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (2014 LDHS) data set. A total of 3353 women of childbearing age (15–49 years) whose blood pressure was measured were used for analysis. The blood pressure readings were categorized according to the JNC7 cut-offs. The dependent variable of this study is hypertension. Both bivariate and binary logistic regressions were performed to determine socio-demographic correlates of hypertension. Results Results from this study revealed that one out of every five respondents of the study had hypertension compared to 23% who were in the prehypertension stage. The situation adds to the overall future risk of hypertension. About 30% percent who were at the hypertension stage were either living with a partner or widowed. The odds of being hypertensive were significantly 9.78 times higher among women aged 45–49 years [CI: 6.38–15.00]. Other factors associated with hypertension among women of the reproductive ages were “living with a partner” [OR 3.55:95% CI: 1.76–7.16], widowed [OR 2.61:95% CI: 1.89–3.60], and residing in the Maseru district [OR 2.12: 95% CI: 1.49–3.03]. Conclusion Chances of being diagnosed with high blood pressure increased with an increase with the age of the respondents. Age was found to be the most definite positive significant socio-demographic correlate of hypertension among women in Lesotho. To control hypertension, primary prevention strategies should target the identified high-risk -older age groups, the ever-married as well as prehypertensive women.

Joint modelling of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and its associated factors among women in Ghana: Multivariate response multilevel modelling methods

“…Also, having unimproved toilet type in households was associated with increased SBP while using primitive fuel for cooking in households was associated with decreased DBP. Our finding that older ages was associated with increased SBP and DBP is not surprising because generally the older the age, the higher the chance of one developing hypertension and this is consistent with previous studies that found that high blood pressure increase with an increasing age [12,13,18,[29][30][31]. Consistent with previous studies that reported increase in hypertension prevalence among those who are obese [12,13,30,31], being obese was associated with increased SBP and DBP PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH in this study.…”

“…Thus, Upper West and Greater Accra regions consistently recorded the lowest and the highest hypertension prevalence respectively, on all the four outcome measures. The national prevalence based on SBP and DBP, and a combined (i.e., SBP and/or DBP) prevalence among this group of women aged 15–49 in Ghana was lower than the combined prevalence of 20% reported for women aged 15–49 years in Lesotho [ 18 ], 41.4% in Guatemala [ 26 ], and 33.8% in Ghana [ 12 ].…”

“…Consistent with previous studies that reported increase in hypertension prevalence among those who are obese [ 12 , 13 , 30 , 31 ], being obese was associated with increased SBP and DBP in this study. Obesity and age were reported to be the most powerful factors associated with hypertension in previous studies [ 12 , 18 , 29 , 30 ]. A previous study [ 31 ] reported that increase in years of education reduced hypertension prevalence which is not consistent with our finding that women with no education had decreased SBP and DBP.…”

“…We addressed a critical public health problem facing women of reproductive age, especially in the presence of high maternal mortality in the country as previous studies have reported a link between hypertension versus maternal mortality and morbidity [ 18 ]. To improve the general cardiovascular health outcome of women, our modelling approach and the identified risk factors should be considered as part of all overall strategy aimed at addressing hypertension and the general cardiovascular health outcomes in this population.…”

“…The selection of the covariates for the current study was based on the variables used in similar studies and on their availability in the GDHS database [ 5 , 14 , 18 ]. Thus, the current study considered factors such as current age, vegetable consumption, household size, cooking fuel, water source, toilet type, education, wealth, wall type, and obesity.…”