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. 2012 Jan-Mar;6(1):36-41.
doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2012.05.005. Epub 2012 Jun 5.

Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among Ethiopian adults

Lemba D Nshisso  1 , Angela Reese, Bizu Gelaye, Sebelewengel Lemma, Yemane Berhane, Michelle A Williams
Affiliations

Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among Ethiopian adults

Lemba D Nshisso et al. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2012 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among members of an Ethiopian occupational cohort; and to examine the proportion of adults who were aware of their conditions.

Methods: A total of 2153 of subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. The World Health Organization STEPwise approach for non-communicable diseases was used to collect socio-demographic data, blood pressure measures and blood samples from participants. Prevalence estimates for hypertension and diabetes were determined separately. The 95% confidence intervals for prevalence estimates were also determined.

Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 19.1% (95%CI: 17.1-20.8) and 22% (95%CI: 20.2-23.8) and 14.9% (95%CI: 13.4-16.4) among men and women respectively. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 6.5% (95%CI: 5.4-7.6) and 6.4% (95%CI: 5.0-7.8) and 6.6% (95%CI: 4.8-8.4) among men and women correspondingly. Notably, 15% of hypertensives reported never having had their blood pressure checked prior to the present study examination. Approximately 45% of participants who had their blood pressure checked were never diagnosed with hypertension, but were found to be hypertensive in our study. Approximately 27% of newly diagnosed diabetics (during this study) reported never having a previous blood glucose test. Among those who had their blood glucose assessed prior to this study, 17.4% were found to have diabetes but were never diagnosed.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes reported in our study confirms findings from other Sub-Saharan Africa countries, and extends the literature to urban dwelling Ethiopians where non-communicable diseases are emerging as a major public health concern.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: NIL

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of BMI by gender
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of hypertension by age group and diabetes status
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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