Dataset Information

Hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: cross-sectional surveys in four rural and urban communities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of adult mortality in low-income countries but data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension are scarce, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aims to assess the prevalence of hypertension and determinants of blood pressure in four SSA populations in rural Nigeria and Kenya, and urban Namibia and Tanzania.

Methods and findings

We performed four cross-sectional household surveys in Kwara State, Nigeria; Nandi district, Kenya; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Greater Windhoek, Namibia, between 2009-2011. Representative population-based samples were drawn in Nigeria and Namibia. The Kenya and Tanzania study populations consisted of specific target groups. Within a final sample size of 5,500 households, 9,857 non-pregnant adults were eligible for analysis on hypertension. Of those, 7,568 respondents ? 18 years were included. The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of hypertension in each of the populations under study. The age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 19.3% (95%CI:17.3-21.3) in rural Nigeria, 21.4% (19.8-23.0) in rural Kenya, 23.7% (21.3-26.2) in urban Tanzania, and 38.0% (35.9-40.1) in urban Namibia. In individuals with hypertension, the proportion of grade 2 (? 160/100 mmHg) or grade 3 hypertension (? 180/110 mmHg) ranged from 29.2% (Namibia) to 43.3% (Nigeria). Control of hypertension ranged from 2.6% in Kenya to 17.8% in Namibia. Obesity prevalence (BMI ? 30) ranged from 6.1% (Nigeria) to 17.4% (Tanzania) and together with age and gender, BMI independently predicted blood pressure level in all study populations. Diabetes prevalence ranged from 2.1% (Namibia) to 3.7% (Tanzania).

Conclusion

Hypertension was the most frequently observed risk factor for CVD in both urban and rural communities in SSA and will contribute to the growing burden of CVD in SSA. Low levels of control of hypertension are alarming. Strengthening of health care systems in SSA to contain the emerging epidemic of CVD is urgently needed.

SUBMITTER: Hendriks ME

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3299675 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: cross-sectional surveys in four rural and urban communities.

Hendriks Marleen E ME Wit Ferdinand W N M FW Roos Marijke T L MT Brewster Lizzy M LM Akande Tanimola M TM de Beer Ingrid H IH Mfinanga Sayoki G SG Kahwa Amos M AM Gatongi Peter P Van Rooy Gert G Janssens Wendy W Lammers Judith J Kramer Berber B Bonfrer Igna I Gaeb Esegiel E van der Gaag Jacques J Rinke de Wit Tobias F TF Lange Joep M A JM Schultsz Constance C

PloS one 20120312 3

<h4>Background</h4>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of adult mortality in low-income countries but data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension are scarce, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aims to assess the prevalence of hypertension and determinants of blood pressure in four SSA populations in rural Nigeria and Kenya, and urban Namibia and Tanzania.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>We performed four cross-sectional household surveys i ...[more]

PMID: 22427857

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Dataset Information

Hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: cross-sectional surveys in four rural and urban communities.

Background

Methods and findings

Conclusion

Publications

Hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: cross-sectional surveys in four rural and urban communities.

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