Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension among Assosa town, WesternEthiopia, 2018

Abstract

Background: Hypertension, the global first and third risk for mortality and disease burden respectively, is recording an increment in Sub-Saharan Africa countries. This study aimed to identify prevalence and its associated risk factor of Hypertension in the Assosa town. Objective: To identify prevalence and factors associated with hypertension in the study area to increase it’s prevention and control methods. Methods & materials: Institutional based cross sectional study design with quota non-probability sampling technique was conducted among patients visited OPD units ofAssosa General Hospital (AGH) andAssosa Health Center(AHC) fromMarch to June 2018. All outpatients were included. To collect data, pre-tested structured questionnaire and face to face interviews were used. Components ofstatisticalresearch software SPSS version-21 like frequency table, chi-square test of independence & logistic regression was used to enter, analyze, summarize and characterize disease and associated factors data. Result: The study was conducted among 194 participants(152 from AGH and 42 from AHC) with 102 males and 92 females. Prevalence of hypertension among patients visited outpatient units of Assosa General Hospital and Assosa Health Center was 17.5%, and was slightly highest in male than female. Associated factors for hypertension among patients visited OPD units of AGH & AHC were history of hypertension in the family (CI=95% and COR=4.497(1.133-17.844) and being private employee (CI=95% and COR=0.0017(0.001-0.407). Conclusion & recommendation: Prevalence of HTN in the Assosa town, was low and influenced by some risk factors like work status and previousfamily history of hypertension. Even if usual usage ofsalt and using vegetable oil was not associated factor, being private employee were independent factor of HTN. In-depth study is recommended for further investigation. To increase preventative methods of HTN, health education supported by mass media, illustrative posters and anotherstrategies at every government & non government work sector are recommended.