Blood Pressure Control with Reference to Intensive Blood Pressure Targets Among Hypertension Patients on Chronic Follow-Up at Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.

Background: Hypertension is a risk factor for heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. It is also the major cause of premature death. Thus, it is important to prevent, treat, and control hypertension and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To determine the level of blood pressure control and associated factors based on the new intensive blood pressure goals (<130/80 mmHg).

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the level of blood pressure control and associated factors from February 15 to April 15, 2019. Two hundred and sixteen patients were selected through a systematic sampling technique.

Results: From 203 hypertension patients incorporated in the study, 102 (50.2%) were females. The mean age of patients documented during the last date of follow-up was 55.2 (SD=±14.47). About 51.2% of patients were less than 5 years from the day of diagnosis of hypertension. The majority of the study participants (111, 54.7%) were using two antihypertensives. The most common anti-hypertensive medication was hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), at 25 (12.3%). The most common combination drug therapy used was the combination of HCT and calcium channel blockers, at 62 (30.5%). Heart failure (22, 20.8%), stroke (18, 16.98%), and dyslipidemia (17, 16.04%) were the top three comorbidities. Based on the new intensive targets of blood pressure control (<130/80 mmHg), the blood pressure was controlled for only 25 (12%) patients.

Conclusion: The level of blood pressure control for hypertensive patients on chronic follow-up at Dessie Referral Hospital was very poor.