Self-reported health status and blood pressure medication use among persons living with hypertension in Kenya.

BACKGROUND

While existing studies established an association between self-reported health status and healthcare service utilisation, its association with Blood Pressure (BP) medication use among persons living with hypertension remains under-explored. This study examines the association between self-reported health status and BP medication use among persons living with hypertension in Kenya.

METHODS

We analysed data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS). The primary outcome was BP medication use, while the main independent variable was self-reported health status. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the association between self-reported health status and BP medication use.

RESULTS

We found that only 32.0% of women and 36.4% of men in this study reported consistent BP medication use. Women who reported moderate or poor health were significantly more likely to use BP medication compared to those who perceived their health as good (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.4-2.4; aOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3.0) respectively. However, no significant association between self-reported health status and BP medication use was found among men. Women aged 20-24 years (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9) and men aged 25-34 years (aOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.06-0.9) were less likely to use BP medication. Furthermore, women (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8) and men (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.0-3.8) with diabetes were more likely to use BP medication.

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasise the need for gender specific health education and behaviour change interventions t to improve hypertension management.