Prevalence, Risk Factors, Awareness, and Control of Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Urban Slum Area of Bangladesh

Background: Although hypertension was formerly thought to be a disease in affluent countries, recent data suggest that low- and middle-income countries account for three-quarters of the worldwide hypertension burden. Several studies have shown a high prevalence of HTN in Bangladesh, while data on urban slum areas are scarce. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, risk factors, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in an urban slum area of Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 602 adults aged 18 years and above living in slum areas of Donia union at Kodomtali Thana, Dhaka, from September to October 2018 by simple random sampling. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the risk factors for hypertension. Results: A quarter of the urban slum dwellers were suffering from hypertension. Higher aged groups, 31 to 45 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54-4.27] and 46 and above years [AOR: 5.13; 95% CI: 2.68-9.82], family history of hypertension [AOR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.24-2.99], and obesity [AOR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.34-6.12] were found to be the significant risk factors of hypertension. Middle socio-economic status [AOR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.93] and underweight [AOR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15-0.83] showed negative association with hypertension. Among the hypertensive participants, 20.6% were aware of their hypertension, 16.8% were on antihypertensive treatment, and 7.7% had their blood pressure controlled. Conclusion: A high prevalence of hypertension associated with poor awareness and control in an urban slum community needs government initiatives for prevention.