Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in Jalalabad City, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan

Abstract

Background:Hypertension affects an estimated one billion people, worldwide. It is a public health challenge characterized by increased morbidity, mortality, as well as cost to the community and health systems. The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension and characterize associated risk factors in an urban setting in Afghanistan.Methods:A cross-sectional study of adults aged 25-65 years was conducted in Jalalabad city from May to June 2013 using the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to surveillance (WHO STEPS). A multistage technique was used to enroll 1,200 participants in the study. Demographic and socio-economic variables were collected via individual interviews using the WHO STEPS survey, after which blood samples were collected using a locally developed standard operating procedure (SOP). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to explore the association between hypertension and associated factors.Results:A total of 1,180 adults (40% males, 60% females) of 25–65 years of age were surveyed. The response rate was 98.5 % and the prevalence of hypertension was 28.4. Independent risk factors of hypertension were found to be: age ≥ 50 (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI: 2.50 – 4.76); sex (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.38 – 0.88); obesity (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.49 – 2.94); and diabetes (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.10 – 2.79). Independent protective factors were physically demanding occupations (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36 – 0.85); physical activity itself (AOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.47 – 0.99) and consuming more vegetables (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38 – 0.93).Conclusion:This urban setting in Afghanistan evidenced a high prevalence of hypertension; age, obesity, and diabetes were identified as risk factors and physical activity and consuming more vegetables were protective. These findings have implications for future public health intervention and clinical efforts.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of High Blood Pressure in Urban Setting of Kandahar City in Afghanistan in 2015

“…This study revealed that the prevalence of hypertension in the urban setting of Kandahar in Afghanistan is 32.3%, indicating that almost one third of the adult population of this city is suffering from this public health problem. These findings are supported by being comparable to other findings of national (13,14) and international studies (23,24). It further reveals that the country has entered into an epidemic of noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, while in the last decade the country has focused on infectious diseases, nutrition, and maternal health (25,26).…”

“…In Afghanistan, there is lack of information on NCDs including hypertension due to priority given to communicable diseases. Prevalence of hypertension in Kabul and Jalalabad in adult population is found to be 46.2% and 28.4%, respectively (13,14). Two neighboring countries of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, have estimated the prevalence of hypertension to be 22.1% and 25.3%, respectively (15,16).…”

Prevalence, awareness and risk factors of hypertension in Hmawbi Cantonment Area, Yangon Region, Myanmar

“…15 However, the prevalence of other studies conducted in India 29.3% 16 , in the northwestern tip of Penang Island, Malaysia 29.8%, 17 in middle Anatolian city 24.2% 18 and in Jalalabad City, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan 28.4% 19 were lower than that of current study.…”

“…Another study from Afghanistan showed that hypertension was significantly associated with obesity, and physical activity. 19 Hypertension was also significant associated with BMI and physical activity at work in the study of Malekzadeh et. al.…”

“…The study conducted in Jalalabad City, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan showed that hypertension was significantly associated with gender and level of income. 19 Hypertension was also significant associated with gender and age in the study of Malekzadeh et al 15 The study conducted among urban adult population in India also showed hypertension was also statistically significant associated with age, sex and education. 16 The associations between hypertension and various age, and education subcategories were statistically significant (p< 0.05) in the study of Manimunda et al…”