Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among adult residents in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Southern Ethiopia

by Adefris Chuka, Befikadu Tariku Gutema, Gistane Ayele, Nega Degefa Megersa, Zeleke Aschalew Melketsedik, Tadiwos Hailu Zewdie

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for mortality and it is also one of the major risk factors for other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among adults residing in Arba Minch health and demographic surveillance site (HDSS), Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017 on the estimated sample size of 3,368 adults at Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance site (HDSS). Data were collected using the WHO STEPS survey tools. Bivariate analysis was done to detect candidate variables at P-value less than 0.25 and entered into the final model to identify the independent predictors of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 18.92% (95% CI: 17.63–20.28). The magnitude increase among respondents in the older age group [AOR 1.39 (95%CI: 1.05–1.84), 1.68 (95% CI: 1.26–2.23) and 2.67 (95%CI: 2.01–3.56) for age group 35–44, 45–54 and 55–64, respectively, compared to 25–34 years old group] and those with the higher wealth index [AOR 1.86 (95%CI: 1.33–2.59), 2.68 (95% CI: 1.91–3.75) and 2.97 (95%CI: 2.08–4.25) for 3^rd quantile, 4^th quantile and 5^th quantile, respectively, compared to 1^st quantile]. The odds of hypertension reduce among married participants (AOR 0.66, 95%CI: 0.51–0.85). Respondents with overweight (AOR 1.44, 95%CI: 1.02–2.02), khat chewing (AOR3.31, 95%CI: 1.94–5.64), low fruit and/or vegetable consumption (AOR 1.27, 95%CI: 1.05–1.53) and those who do not use coffee and tea (AOR 1.52, 95%CI: 1.03–2.24) had significantly higher likelihood of hypertension. Nearly one out of five participants have hypertension in this population. As hypertension is one of the silent killers, it is advisable to develop a system for enabling early detection and monitoring in the older age groups and overweight individuals.