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. 2022 Mar 22;22(1):562.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-12960-0.

The prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women (15-49 years) in Lesotho: a descriptive analysis

Mapitso Lebuso  1 , Nicole De Wet-Billings  2
Affiliations

The prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women (15-49 years) in Lesotho: a descriptive analysis

Mapitso Lebuso et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Hypertensive disorders are among the leading conditions for severe maternal morbidity across all regions and have a major impact on health care costs. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and its associated socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women of the reproductive ages in Lesotho.

Methods: The study used the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (2014 LDHS) data set. A total of 3353 women of childbearing age (15-49 years) whose blood pressure was measured were used for analysis. The blood pressure readings were categorized according to the JNC7 cut-offs. The dependent variable of this study is hypertension. Both bivariate and binary logistic regressions were performed to determine socio-demographic correlates of hypertension.

Results: Results from this study revealed that one out of every five respondents of the study had hypertension compared to 23% who were in the prehypertension stage. The situation adds to the overall future risk of hypertension. About 30% percent who were at the hypertension stage were either living with a partner or widowed. The odds of being hypertensive were significantly 9.78 times higher among women aged 45-49 years [CI: 6.38-15.00]. Other factors associated with hypertension among women of the reproductive ages were "living with a partner" [OR 3.55:95% CI: 1.76-7.16], widowed [OR 2.61:95% CI: 1.89-3.60], and residing in the Maseru district [OR 2.12: 95% CI: 1.49-3.03].

Conclusion: Chances of being diagnosed with high blood pressure increased with an increase with the age of the respondents. Age was found to be the most definite positive significant socio-demographic correlate of hypertension among women in Lesotho. To control hypertension, primary prevention strategies should target the identified high-risk -older age groups, the ever-married as well as prehypertensive women.

Keywords: High blood pressure; Hypertension; Socio-demographic factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Percentage distribution of women by hypertension status, Lesotho, 2014
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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