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

ABSTRACT: We assessed the prevalence and determinants of high blood pressure (BP), and barriers to diagnosis and treatment, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.We surveyed and screened 2174 community-dwelling adults aged at least 40 years in 2014 and conducted a follow-up after 1 year.Median BP was 131/81?mmHg, and hypertension prevalence was 37%. Mean adjusted difference in SBP was 4.0?mmHg for overweight, 6.3?mmHg for obese class I, and 10.5?mmHg for obese class II/III compared with normal weight participants. Those who were physically inactive had 4.8?mmHg 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 4.5?mmHg 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.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.

SUBMITTER: Zack RM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5675737 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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

Zack Rachel M RM Irema Kahema K Kazonda Patrick P Leyna Germana H GH Liu Enju E Spiegelman Donna D Fawzi Wafaie W Njelekela Marina M Killewo Japhet J Danaei Goodarz G

Journal of hypertension 20161201 12

<h4>Objectives</h4>We assessed the prevalence and determinants of high blood pressure (BP), and barriers to diagnosis and treatment, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.<h4>Methods</h4>We surveyed and screened 2174 community-dwelling adults aged at least 40 years in 2014 and conducted a follow-up after 1 year.<h4>Results</h4>Median BP was 131/81 mmHg, and hypertension prevalence was 37%. Mean adjusted difference in SBP was 4.0 mmHg for overweight, 6.3 mmHg for obese class I, and 10.5 mmHg for obese class ...[more]

PMID: 27648720

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Project description:BackgroundMalaria is a major cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality. As no clinical features clearly differentiate malaria from other febrile illnesses, and malaria diagnosis is challenged by often lacking laboratory equipment and expertise, overdiagnosis and overtreatment is common.MethodsChildren admitted with fever at the general paediatric wards at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from January to June 2009 were recruited consecutively and prospectively. Demographic and clinical features were registered. Routine thick blood smear microscopy at MNH was compared to results of subsequent thin blood smear microscopy, and rapid diagnostics tests (RDTs). Genus-specific PCR of Plasmodium mitochondrial DNA was performed on DNA extracted from whole blood and species-specific PCR was done on positive samples.ResultsAmong 304 included children, 62.6% had received anti-malarials during the last four weeks prior to admission and 65.1% during the hospital stay. Routine thick blood smears, research blood smears, PCR and RDT detected malaria in 13.2%, 6.6%, 25.0% and 13.5%, respectively. Positive routine microscopy was confirmed in only 43% (17/40), 45% (18/40) and 53% (21/40), by research microscopy, RDTs and PCR, respectively. Eighteen percent (56/304) had positive PCR but negative research microscopy. Reported low parasitaemia on routine microscopy was associated with negative research blood slide and PCR. RDT-positive cases were associated with signs of severe malaria. Palmar pallor, low haemoglobin and low platelet count were significantly associated with positive PCR, research microscopy and RDT.ConclusionsThe true morbidity attributable to malaria in the study population remains uncertain due to the discrepancies in results among the diagnostic methods. The current routine microscopy appears to result in overdiagnosis of malaria and, consequently, overuse of anti-malarials. Conversely, children with a false positive malaria diagnosis may die because they do not receive treatment for the true cause of their illness. RDTs appear to have the potential to improve routine diagnostics, but the clinical implication of the many RDT-negative, PCR-positive samples needs to be elucidated.

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

Publications

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

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