Prevalence and risk factors of prehypertension/hypertension among freshman students from the Vietnam National University: a cross-sectional study

High prevalence of elevated blood pressure (prehypertension) and hypertension among undergraduate university students in the UAE: a serious health concern

Hypertension, often referred to as a "silent killer," due to its lack of obvious symptoms but can lead to devastating complications such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, particularly when left unmanaged. This highlights the importance of early screening of elevated blood pressure. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (prehypertension) and hypertension among undergraduate university students, along with the associated risk factors. We recruited 344 randomly selected undergraduate students for a cross-sectional study. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken following best practice guidelines. In addition, body mass index (BMI) was measured, while other risk factors were collected through a questionnaire. Out of all participants, 36% exhibited elevated blood pressure, with the following breakdown: 15% (n = 51) had prehypertension, 18% (n = 62) had stage 1 hypertension, and 3% (n = 10) had stage 2 hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was significantly higher among male students (52.7 and 100%, respectively) compared to female students (47.3, and 0% respectively). Significant correlations were found between blood pressure, BMI, and physical activity levels (P ≤ 0.001 and P ≤ 0.011, respectively). Our findings reveal a concerning prevalence of prehypertension and, to a greater extent, hypertension among undergraduate university students. Elevated blood pressure levels were strongly correlated with male gender, BMI, and physical activity levels. These results warrant further large-scale investigation and underscore the urgent need to raise awareness about this significant health risk in the younger population.

Unveiling the Silent Threat: Exploring Hypertension Prevalence and Risk Factors Among University Students in Syria

Objective

The prevalence of hypertension has increased worldwide over the last decades. No data are available on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension and elevated blood pressure among young adults in Syria. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of hypertension and elevated blood pressure among university students and to identify the associated sociodemographic characteristics, and behavioral risk factors.

Methods

This study was designed as a cross-sectional investigation with 1,100 subjects randomly selected from the students of Aleppo and Al-Wataniya universities. Risk factors, and measurement data were collected using a questionnaire. Hypertension was categorized according to ACC/AHA guidelines.

Results

Out of 1,100 undergraduate university students, men made up 70.2% of the total respondents. The age of the participants ranged from 18 to 30 years with a mean age of 21 (±1.82). The prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension was 27.7% and 15.9% respectively. The main common risk factors for elevated blood pressure and hypertension were sex, age, smoking, stress and BMI. Family history was only associated with hypertension.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hypertension among undergraduate students was higher than in other countries which calls for urgent policy actions targeting this age group for early prevention of hypertension.

The burden of headache disorders among medical students in Vietnam: estimates from a cross-sectional study with a health-care needs assessment

BACKGROUND

In our previous study, we demonstrated that headaches are highly prevalent among medical students in Vietnam. In the present study, we provide estimates of the associated symptom burden and impaired participation, utilizing these estimates to assess headache-related healthcare needs within this population.

METHODS

The study followed the standardized methodology established by the Global Campaign against Headache. Participants included medical students who were randomly selected from two medical universities in Vietnam. Data collection utilized the HARDSHIP questionnaire, which included diagnostic questions based on ICHD-3 criteria, measures of symptom burden, quality of life (QoL) assessments using the WHOQoL-8, evaluations of impaired participation through the HALT index, and questions about headache yesterday (HY). The definition of health care "need" was based on the likelihood of benefit from intervention, including all participants with probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH), other headaches occurring on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+), migraine on ≥ 3 days/month, or migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) meeting at least one of two criteria related to symptom burden and impaired participation.

RESULTS

A total of 1,362 participants (57.3% female) were included, of whom 1,125 students (61.3% female) were diagnosed with a headache disorder, and 165 students (69.1% female) reported experiencing a HY. The mean frequency of any headache was 3.6 days per month, with an average duration of 5.3 h, and 58% of participants reported an intensity of moderate/severe. For all headache, the mean pTIS was 2.8%. The mean number of lost days over a period of 3 months was 4.3 for work/school tasks, 3.8 for household chore, and 1.7 for social or leisure activities. Among those reporting a HY, 35.8% were able to complete less than half of their expected activities, while 9.7% could complete none. QoL of students with any headache was significantly lower than that of students without headache. A mong students with headache, 43.8% fulfilled atleast one of our needs assessment criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

This first study on headache burden in Vietnam reveals substantial symptom burden alongside a correspondingly high level of impaired participation among medical students.

The prevalence of headache disorders among medical students in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Headache disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, especially in young adults. However, no data on the burden of these disorders in Vietnam have been published to date. This study is the first to assess the prevalence of headache disorders among Vietnamese medical students.

METHODS

This study was conducted in accordance with the recommended methodology of the Global Campaign. Data were collected through interviews using the HARDSHIP structured questionnaire, translated into Vietnamese, with diagnostic assessments based on ICHD-3 criteria. Participants were recruited from two medical universities in Vietnam. The 1-year prevalence rates of headache disorders of public health significance (migraine, tension-type headache [TTH], and probable medication-overuse headache [pMOH]) were estimated. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between headache disorders and sociodemographic/anthropometric variables.

RESULTS

A total of 1,362 participants (42.7% males and 57.3% females) with a mean age of 21.1 ± 1.6 years were included. The overall 1-year prevalence of any headache was 82.6% [95% CI: 80.5-84.6], with a prevalence of 74.7% [71.0-78.2] among males and 88.5% [86.0-90.6] among females. The 1-year prevalences for specific headache types were as follows: migraine 21.8% [19.6-24.1], TTH 54.0% [51.3-56.7], pMOH 0.4% [0.2-1.0], and other headaches on ≥ 15 days/month 3.7% [2.7-4.8]. The one-day prevalence of any headache was 12.1%. Female gender (adjusted OR = 1.77 [1.32-2.36]; p < 0.001) was independently associated with a higher prevalence of migraine, while older age (aOR = 0.84 [0.77-0.91] per year increase) was associated with a lower prevalence. In contrast, TTH was more common among older participants (aOR = 1.07 [1.005-1.15] per year increase).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the high prevalence of headache disorders, particularly migraine and TTH, among medical students in Vietnam. These findings underscore the critical need for public health initiatives to improve early diagnosis and effective management of headache disorders within this population.

Developing lifestyle intervention program for pre-hypertensive patients; consensus building using a modified Delphi approach

BACKGROUND

Prehypertension is a preclinical state of hypertension which leads to an increased likelihood of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease as well as target organ damage. Addressing pre-hypertension through early lifestyle interventions is crucial to mitigating these detrimental effects and improving long-term health outcomes. So, the main objective of this study is to develop a lifestyle intervention program (LSIP) for the management of prehypertension using consensus building approach.

METHODS

It was a three round online modified Delphi study with 70 members panellists. All panellists had an experience of prehypertension either as patients (n = 30) or professionals (n = 40). Round 1 included initial recommendations developed from a previous systematic review and metanalysis, which were rated by panellists for their importance on a 5-point Likert scale. Panellists could also suggest additional items in the Round 1. Round 2 and 3 included all items from the Round 1 with new items suggested by the panellists. Data was analysed descriptively using SPSS version 29. All items receiving at least 70% of all respondents combined rating of 'Important' and 'Very Important' in Round 3 were included in the final set of recommendations.

RESULTS

Fifty-one panellists (80.9%) (patients = 25, professionals = 26) completed Round 3. Twenty-six recommendation items were included in the Round 1. Twenty new items were added in Round 2 with 46 total items in Round 2 and 3. Thirty-five of these items reached consensus in Round 3. The final set of recommendation comprised of 15 educational. 10 dietary, and 10 exercise recommendations.

CONCLUSION

This modified Delphi study developed a comprehensive LSIP for the prevention of prehypertension, incorporating a holistic approach with educational, dietary, and exercise components aimed at the general population. Previously established standards of care (SOC) for managing prehypertension varied significantly and often provided fragmented guidance particularly on physical activity and education. This preventive model offers a novel and scalable approach for early intervention in prehypertension, potentially reducing reliance on medications and improving long-term health outcomes.

Lifestyle practices and associated factors among adults with hypertension: Conquering Hypertension in Vietnam-solutions at the grassroots level study

BACKGROUND

Vietnam is experiencing an increasing prevalence of hypertension in its adult population. In addition to medical therapy, modifying adverse lifestyle practices is important for effective blood pressure control. There are limited data on unhealthy lifestyle practices in patients with chronic diseases, however, particularly among hypertensive patients living in rural Vietnam. Our study objectives were to examine the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle practices and associated factors among rural Vietnamese adults with uncontrolled hypertension.

METHODS

Data from the baseline survey of a cluster randomized trial among hypertensive Vietnamese adults (2017-2022) were utilized. Information on unhealthy lifestyle practices including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake was collected from study participants. The primary study outcome was having ≥2 unhealthy lifestyle practices. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine factors associated with the primary study outcome.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 671 patients was 67 years and 45.0% were men. Nearly three out of every four participants had one or fewer unhealthy practices, 24.0% had two, and 3.3% had three or all four unhealthy lifestyle practices. Men, individuals who did unpaid work or were unemployed, and individuals with hypertension level III were more likely to have ≥2 unhealthy lifestyle practices, whereas individuals with higher education were less likely to have ≥2 unhealthy lifestyle practices compared with respective comparison groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle practices among rural Vietnamese patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Several demographic factors were associated with a greater number of unhealthy lifestyle practices. Newer interventions and educational programs encouraging lifestyle modification practices are needed to control hypertension among adults living in rural settings of Vietnam.

Examining the influence of wealth status on prehypertension risk in women aged 30-49: evidence from the 2018 Benin demographic and health survey

BACKGROUND

There is an interest in the extent to which the wealth status of women predicts their risk of being pre-hypertensive. This understanding is lacking in the current body of empirical literature, particularly within the context of Benin. Thus, indicating a knowledge gap that must be filled. To this end, the present study aimed to assess the association between wealth status and the risk of prehypertension among women aged 30-49 years in Benin.

METHODS

This study used a secondary data from the recent (2018) Demographic and Health Survey of Benin. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were computed to examine the association between wealth index and the risks of prehypertension using Stata version 14. Findings were presented in adjusted odds ratio at 95% confidence level.

RESULTS

Women in the richest wealth index were significantly more likely to have prehypertension than those in the poorest wealth index [AOR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.26-2.26]. Women aged 45-49 years were more likely to have prehypertension [AOR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.15-1.98] compared to younger women. Women who used unclean cooking fuel were less likely to have prehypertension compared to those using clean cooking fuel [AOR = 0.6; 95%CI: 0.37,0.87].

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that wealth status is a significant predictor of prehypertension among women in Benin. Therefore, the Ministry of Health in Benin should prioritize health education and prehypertension awareness campaigns specifically targeting women in affluent communities and households. These campaigns should focus on promoting healthy dietary choices and encouraging physical activity to mitigate the elevated risk associated with wealth status. Recognizing the influence of age on prehypertension risk, it is imperative for older-middle aged women to be targeted as primary beneficiaries of health education programs and prehypertension screening programs.

Prevalence of Pre-Hypertension/Hypertension and Its Associated Factors Among Adults in the Wolaita Zone of Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Preventing the development of high blood pressure and resulting complication requires estimating the prevalence of prehypertension/hypertension and identifying associated risk factors. Information about pre-hypertension/hypertension in Ethiopia, especially in the southern region, is scarce, and limited knowledge exists regarding the prevalence and risk factors associated with pre-hypertension/hypertension. Objective of this study was to assess prevalence of pre-hypertension/hypertension and its associated factors among adults in Wolaita Zone of Southern Ethiopia, 2023. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults attending outpatient departments in governmental hospitals in South Ethiopia in 2023. Face-to-face interviews were used to gather information on sociodemographic data, dietary and behavioral patterns, and medical history. Digital weighing scales, Stadiometers, and digital sphygmomanometers were used to measure height, blood pressure, and weight, respectively. Epi-Data version 3.1 was used to enter the data before exporting it to SPSS version 25 for analysis. To find factors associated with prehypertension/hypertension, binary logistic regressions were conducted and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were computed. The overall prevalence of prehypertension/hypertension was 42.8% (95% confidence interval: 39.56, 49.47). Factors associated with prehypertension/hypertension in this study were older age, male gender, obesity, diabetes mellitus comorbidity, alcohol drinking, and family history of hypertension. Lifestyle modification is demanded for pre-hypertensive/hypertensive patients to prevent progression to severe complications, including premature death and permanent disabilities.