Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in a semi-urban population: a cross-sectional study in Dschang (West Region of Cameroon).

INTRODUCTION

hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide, associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Although the national prevalence of hypertension is well established, its prevalence in semi-urban areas is poorly known. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and determinants of hypertension in a semi-urban area.

METHODS

we conducted a cross-sectional community study in the adult population of the Dschang Health District from February to May 2022. Consent to participate was obtained and data was collected through a face-to-face interview using a predesigned questionnaire. Collected variables included sociodemographic characteristics, previous education on weight loss, salt, alcohol, and tobacco consumption, and blood pressure level after 45 min of rest.

RESULTS

we recruited 706 participants with a mean age of 53.11 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 57.6%, with 13.02% for grade 1; 64.87% for grade 2 hypertension, and 22.11% for grade 3. The determinants significantly associated with hypertension in multivariate analysis were: age over 40 years (aOR: 3.23, 95% CI 1.91 - 5.47; p<0.001), being a civil servant (aOR: 4.82, 95% CI 2.44 - 9.54; p<0.001), being unemployed (aOR: 2.95, 95% CI 1.32 - 6.57; p =0.008), tobacco consumption (aOR: 1.93, 95% CI 1.49 - 2.38; p <0.001), hypertension among siblings (aOR: 4.56, 95% CI 1.30 - 15.95; p =0.017), diabetes mellitus (aOR: 3.09, 95% CI 1.61 - 5.94; p <0.001), obesity (aOR: 2.8, 95 CI 1.10 - 7.74; p<0.001), previous therapeutic education (over salt consumption: [aOR: 1.7 95% CI 1.08 - 2.67; p<0.001], alcohol consumption: [aOR: 2.12, 95% CI 1.24 - 3.61; p<0.04] and weight loss [aOR: 2.51, 95% CI 1.76 - 3.57; p<0.001]), presence of palpitations (aOR: 22.63, 95% CI 1.83 - 278.6; p=0.015) and reduced vision (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI 1.08 - 3.6; p=0.026).

CONCLUSION

a high prevalence of hypertension was found in the Dschang Health District. Sociodemographic characteristics, family and personal history and some clinical manifestations were associated with hypertension. There is a need to implement hypertension prevention strategies in semi-urban settings.