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. 2024 Aug 6:48:157.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2024.48.157.43781. eCollection 2024.

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in a semi-urban population: a cross-sectional study in Dschang (West Region of Cameroon)

Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou  1   2 , Cédric Fritz Gerald Eyenga Bangbang  3 , Christian Ngongang Ouankou  1   4 , Fernando Kemta Lekpa  1   5 , Christian Deube Ngako  3 , Liliane Mfeukeu-Kuate  6   7 , Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba  6   7 , Hamadama Abdoul Salam  1   8 , Herna Stella Chimy Tchounchui  3 , Clarisse Mapa-Tassou  3   9 , Aimée Tiodoung Timnou  6 , Siméon Pierre Choukem  1   5   10
Affiliations

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in a semi-urban population: a cross-sectional study in Dschang (West Region of Cameroon)

Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide, associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Although the national prevalence of hypertension is well established, its prevalence in semi-urban areas is poorly known. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and determinants of hypertension in a semi-urban area.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional community study in the adult population of the Dschang Health District from February to May 2022. Consent to participate was obtained and data was collected through a face-to-face interview using a predesigned questionnaire. Collected variables included sociodemographic characteristics, previous education on weight loss, salt, alcohol, and tobacco consumption, and blood pressure level after 45 min of rest.

Results: we recruited 706 participants with a mean age of 53.11 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 57.6%, with 13.02% for grade 1; 64.87% for grade 2 hypertension, and 22.11% for grade 3. The determinants significantly associated with hypertension in multivariate analysis were: age over 40 years (aOR: 3.23, 95% CI 1.91 - 5.47; p<0.001), being a civil servant (aOR: 4.82, 95% CI 2.44 - 9.54; p<0.001), being unemployed (aOR: 2.95, 95% CI 1.32 - 6.57; p =0.008), tobacco consumption (aOR: 1.93, 95% CI 1.49 - 2.38; p <0.001), hypertension among siblings (aOR: 4.56, 95% CI 1.30 - 15.95; p =0.017), diabetes mellitus (aOR: 3.09, 95% CI 1.61 - 5.94; p <0.001), obesity (aOR: 2.8, 95 CI 1.10 - 7.74; p<0.001), previous therapeutic education (over salt consumption: [aOR: 1.7 95% CI 1.08 - 2.67; p<0.001], alcohol consumption: [aOR: 2.12, 95% CI 1.24 - 3.61; p<0.04] and weight loss [aOR: 2.51, 95% CI 1.76 - 3.57; p<0.001]), presence of palpitations (aOR: 22.63, 95% CI 1.83 - 278.6; p=0.015) and reduced vision (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI 1.08 - 3.6; p=0.026).

Conclusion: a high prevalence of hypertension was found in the Dschang Health District. Sociodemographic characteristics, family and personal history and some clinical manifestations were associated with hypertension. There is a need to implement hypertension prevention strategies in semi-urban settings.

Keywords: Dschang; Hypertension; prevalence; semi-urban area.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
participants flow chart
Figure 2
Figure 2
participant’s classification by age group and hypertension grade
Figure 3
Figure 3
hypertension (HTN) classification among the study population
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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