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

Abstract

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.