Background: Hypertension (HTN) is major public health challenge. Data on HTN prevalence and associated risk factors is necessary to better control it. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of HTN and associated anthropometric and lifestyle predictors in Kombolcha and suburbs, northeast Ethiopia.
Methods: The study followed a community-based cross-sectional sampling design. Adult (≥18) residents of Kombolcha and suburbs in 11 kebeles (villages) formed the target population. Of these kebeles, 5(3 urban and 2 suburban) were selected randomly. Households (HHs) within the selected kebeles and individuals within HHs were similarly recruited in December 2016-May 2017. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were done. World Health Organization (WHO) STEPWISE TOOL was used to capture socio-demographic, physical activity, dietary habit, and nutritional status data.
Results: Totally 318 adults participated in the study. However, only 312 (169(54.2%) males and 143(45.8%) females) were with complete information for statistical analysis. The lowest age was 18 years, the highest 65 and the mean 38.29 ± 10.88. The prevalence of HTN was 30.8% (96/312) (95% confidence interval (CI): 25.9-36.1%), 16.4% male and 14.4% female. While 45 and older age (odds ratio (OR) 7.385, 95% CI 3.563-15.306, p < 0.0001), obesity (OR 126.286, 95% CI 34.481-462.514, p < 0.0001) and overweightness (OR 16.105, 95% CI 7.024-36.927, p < 0.0001), 'substantially high risk' (> 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in female) waist circumference (OR 1.788, 95% CI 1.008-3.173, p = 047), light occupational physical activity (OR 12.427, 95% CI 2.891-53.410, p = 0.001), walking or riding a bicycle for lower than 5 days/week (OR 13.000, 95% CI 5.140-32.882, p < 0.0001) and lack of sport activity (OR 18.322, 95% CI 2.430-138.169, p = 005), smoking (OR 2.283, 95% CI 1.284-4.060, p = 0.005), khat (OR 17.390, 95% CI 6.167-49.037, p < 0.0001), alcohol (OR 4.005, 95% CI 2.357-6.803, p < 0.0001), HH size of two (OR 2.474, 95% CI 1.250-4.895, p = 0.009) and ≥ 3 (OR 6.889, 95% CI 2.610-18.186, p < 0.0001); and HTN in family history (OR 19.417, 95% CI 10.251-36.778, p < 0.0001) were significant predictors of HTN in the binary logistic regression analysis; none of these were so in the multivariable model.
Conclusion: Although there was a high prevalence of HTN in the study area, its independent significant predictors were not identified.
Keywords: Anthropometric; Cross-sectional; Hypertension; Lifestyle.