Publication Details

AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS

SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH

biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology

Determinants of high blood pressure and barriers to diagnosis and treatment in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Journal of Hypertension, Volume 34, No. 12, Year 2016

Objectives: We assessed the prevalence and determinants of high blood pressure (BP), and barriers to diagnosis and treatment, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: We surveyed and screened 2174 communitydwelling adults aged at least 40 years in 2014 and conducted a follow-up after 1 year. Results: Median BP was 131/81 mmHg, and hypertension prevalence was 37%. Mean adjusted difference in SBP was 4.0mmHg for overweight, 6.3mmHg for obese class I, and 10.5mmHg for obese class II/III compared with normal weight participants. Those who were physically inactive had 4.8mmHg higher SBP compared with those with more than 24 h of moderate or vigorous activity per week. Drinkers of at least 10 g of alcohol per day had 4.5mmHg higher SBP than did nondrinkers. Among hypertensive participants, 48% were previously diagnosed, 22% were treated, and 10% were controlled. Hypertensive participants without health insurance were 12% less likely to have been previously diagnosed than insured hypertensive participants. Of referred participants, 68% sought care, but only 27% were on treatment and 8% had controlled BP at follow-up. Reasons for not seeking care included lack of symptoms, cost of visit, and lack of time. Reasons for not being on treatment included lack of symptoms, not being prescribed treatment, and having finished one course of treatment. Conclusion: Major risk factors for hypertension in Dar es Salaam are overweight, obesity, inadequate physical activity, and limited access to quality medical care. Increased insurance coverage and community-based screening, along with quality medical care and patient education, may help control this burgeoning epidemic.
Statistics
Citations: 24
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Noncommunicable Diseases
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Tanzania