Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension in Mazar Sharif Citizens, Afghanistan-2015

• Published in: Journal of pioneering medical sciences 2017-10, Vol.7 (4), p.42-46
• Main Author: Khwaja Mir Islam Saeed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Age groups; Alcohol; Blood pressure; Diabetes; Households; Hypertension; Laboratories; Obesity; Public health; Risk factors; Rural areas; Sample size; Studies; Womens health
• ISSN: 2309-7981; 2309-7981

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major public health challenge worldwide. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characterize factors associated with hypertension in Mazar Sharif, Afghanistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mazar Sharif from April to May 2015 using the World Health Organization (WHO) STEP-wise approach. Data on demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors were collected including blood samples for testing blood glucose and lipids. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were undertaken to explore the association between hypertension and potential predictors. RESULTS: Of the 1,231 participants, 664 (53.9%) were females. The prevalence of hypertension was 30.9% (95% CI: 28.3 - 33.4). Factors independently associated with hypertension were: age groups of 35 - 45, 45 - 55 and 55+ (OR=2.63, 95 % CI: 1.80 - 3.84; OR=5.32, 3.52 - 8.04; OR=10.99, 7.19 - 16.81) compare to 25-34 age group; gender (male) (OR=1.67, 95%CI:1.21 - 2.32); marital status (OR=3.12, 95%CI:1.21 - 8.05), reclining ≤ 3 hours per day (OR=0.63, 95%CI:0.46 - 0.85); central obesity (OR=2.16, 95%CI:1.53 - 3.04); BMI ≥ 30Kg/m2 (OR=2.33, 95%CI: 1.61 - 3.36). CONCLUSION: We found high prevalence of hypertension in this study cohort. As in other studies, we found that age, gender, marital status, staying at home, central and general obesity were predictors of hypertension. It is likely that strategies aimed at lowering blood pressure in other parts of the world will be useful in our study population.