Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Oct 2020)
Undiagnosed Hypertension and Associated Factors Among Adults in Hawela Tula Sub-City, Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Demelash Wachamo,1 Dereje Geleta,2 Endrias Markos Woldesemayat2 1Hawassa College of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Endrias Markos WoldesemayatHawassa University, School of Public Health, Hawassa, EthiopiaEmail [email protected]: Hypertension (HTN) is a major public health problem and often it is unnoticed. Undiagnosed HTN may lead to a high burden of cardiovascular diseases and complications such as stroke and heart attack. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed HTN.Methods: From February to June 2019, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 randomly selected adults in Hawela Tulla Sub-city, Hawassa, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected by pretested questionnaires, and physical measurements of weight, height and blood pressure were collected through standardized procedures adapted from WHO STEPS survey tools. Data entry and analysis were carried out using SPSS version 23 statistical software. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models were used to describe the results. Logistic regression analysis results were declared statistically significant if the P-value was below 0.05 and the 95% CI did not cross the null value.Results: The prevalence of undiagnosed HTN among the respondents was 12.3%. Only 152 (39.7%) of the study population knew the symptoms of HTN. Males (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 5.2; P=0.016), people with a family history of HTN (AOR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.0, 7.0; P= 0.044), people who chewed khat (AOR=4.6, 95% CI: 2.0, 10.2; P< 0.001), overweight or obese individuals (AOR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.7, 7.3; P=0.001) and people with diabetes mellitus (AOR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.1, 9.3; P=0.036) had a higher risk of undiagnosed HTN than their counterparts.Conclusion: Identification of people with the risk factors of undiagnosed HTN and delivering health education to reduce the risky behaviors could reduce the burden and consequences of HTN. Integrating interventions at the community level may be important.Keywords: undiagnosed HTN, health-seeking behavior, Hawassa city, Ethiopia
