Undiagnosed status and associated factors of hypertension among adults living in rural of central, Ethiopia, 2020: Uncovering the hidden magnitude of hypertension

Study on health seeking behaviour and determinants of undiagnosed hypertension in poor households in the Philippines, part of the RESPOND study (SHARP-RESPOND)

Hypertension is one of the leading preventable causes of premature death. Although it can be effectively managed with relatively simple interventions, up to 50% of individuals with hypertension in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain undiagnosed. Key factors influencing the health-seeking behaviour of patients with hypertension include household wealth, knowledge about hypertension, perceptions of treatment effectiveness, and access to blood pressure measurement. However, evidence on the facilitators and barriers to hypertension diagnosis in low-income households within LMICs remains inconsistent. This study aims to describe the characteristics and health-seeking behaviours of individuals with undiagnosed hypertension in low-income households in the Philippines and identify the factors influencing undiagnosed hypertension. The study included 516 people with hypertension from low-income households in the Philippines as part of the RESPOND study. Characteristics of participants with undiagnosed hypertension were compared to those with diagnosed hypertension to identify determinants of undiagnosed cases. A follow-up survey one year later gathered data on whether undiagnosed participants had subsequently received a formal diagnosis. In this study, 26.6% of people with hypertension in low-income households were undiagnosed. Over one year, only 25.4% of these undiagnosed individuals received a formal diagnosis. Factors associated with lower odds of undiagnosed hypertension included belief in the effectiveness of Western medicine, recent blood pressure measurement, receipt of health information in the preceding year, presence of comorbidities, and participation in social organisations. Conversely, living in rural areas, employment, and belief in the effectiveness of traditional medicine were linked to higher odds of remaining undiagnosed. A substantial proportion of people with hypertension in low-income households in the Philippines remain undiagnosed. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach targeting the social determinants of health and addressing specific barriers to hypertension diagnosis. Insights from this study can inform strategies to improve hypertension control in other LMICs.

Trend, burden and determinants of undiagnosed hypertension in the Horn of Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a silent killer disease and the global report revealed that half of the world's population lives with undiagnosed hypertension. The problem is expected to be worse in low-income countries such as in Horn of Africa countries. Thus, we planned to determine the trend, burden, and determinates of undiagnosed hypertension in this region and provide conclusive and tangible evidence for interventions.

METHOD

Articles were searched on Google, Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the published articles' reference list. The JBI critical appraisal checklist was used for quality assessment. A sensitivity test and I2 statistics were conducted to evaluate the heterogeneity. The Begg's statistics in the random effect model were done to evaluate the publication bias.

RESULT

The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in the Horn of Africa was 17% (95% CI: 15%-20%) and it ranges from from 13% in 2006 to 20% in 2023. A trip time to a medical institution of less than 35 minutes (OR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.35-0.79), no regular exercise (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.54-3.32), age > = 45 years (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.66-3.8), age 35-44 years (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.5-2.37), male (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.34-2.2), poor knowledge (OR = 3.29, 95%CI: 2.39,4.53), normal BMI (OR = 3.84, 95% CI: 2.96-4.98), Overweight (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 2.96-4.98), poor health seeking (OR = 2.79, 95%CI: 2.01-3.86), low vegetable consumers (OR = 1.99, 95%CI:1.36-2.91), smoking (OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.13-1.93), high triglyceride (OR = 1.83, 95%CI:1.33-2.52), chat chewing (OR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.54-3.09), and alcohol drinking (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.32-2.33) were the determinats of undiagnosed hypertension.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was low in the Horn of Africa but its trend was increased over time. Individual level variables were identified that affect the undiagnosed hypertension. Therefore, healthy lifestyle is recommended.

Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Blood Pressure Levels Among HIV Sero-Positive and Sero-Negative Cohorts: A Secondary Analysis of the Vukuzazzi Study

BACKGROUND

The effect of hypertension is aggravated by lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption. This study sought to determine the association between alcohol consumption and the level of blood pressures among HIV seronegative and seropositive cohorts.

METHODS

This secondary analysis was performed on a cross-sectional survey data of 17 922 participants during the period between 2018 and 2020. A questionnaire was used to obtain participants' alcohol consumption history, which was categorized into non-alcohol consumers, non-heavy alcohol consumers, and heavy alcohol consumers. A linear regression model was used to establish relationships among participants with raised blood pressure (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg).

RESULTS

Out of the total participants, 3553 (19.82%) were hypertensives. Almost 13% of the hypertensives (n = 458; 12.89%) were undiagnosed, and 12.44 % (442) had uncontrolled hypertension. About 14.52% of the hypertensives (3553) were not on any antihypertensive medication. Male non-consumers of alcohol had the highest systolic and diastolic BP; uncontrolled systolic BP (165.53 ± 20.87 mmHg), uncontrolled diastolic BP (102.28 ± 19.21mmHg). Adjusted for covariates, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with HTN among participants who were HIV seropositive [unadjusted (RR = 1.772, P = .006, 95% CI (1.178-2.665)], [RR = 1.772, P = .005, 95% CI (1.187-2.64)]. [unadjusted RR = 1.876, P = .036, 95% CI (1.043-3.378)], adjusted RR = 1.876, P = .041, 95% CI (1.024-3.437). Both moderate and heavy alcohol consumption were significantly related to hypertension among HIV sero-negative [unadjusted model, moderate consumption RR = 1.534 P = .003, 95% CI (1.152-2.044)], [adjusted model, moderate alcohol consumption RR = 1.535, P = .006, 95% CI (1.132-2.080)], [unadjusted model, heavy alcohol consumption, RR = 2.480, P = .030, 95% CI (1.091-5.638)], [adjusted model RR = 2.480, P = .034, 95% CI (1.072-5.738)].

CONCLUSION

Alcohol consumption is significantly related to increase BP regardless of HIV infection.

Undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Aims

Early identification and treatment of hypertension could lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases; which share the largest proportion of death. The findings of previous studies done in Ethiopia on undiagnosed hypertension were inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed hypertension among adults in Ethiopia.

Methods

A protocol with registration number CRD42023395445 was registered to Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A comprehensive search of observational studies done on undiagnosed hypertension was identified in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Hinari databases, and other sources available until January 10, 2023. The quality of the identified studies using the set criteria and necessary data was extracted and exported to R version 4.2.3 and STATA version 15.0 for analysis. The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors were identified. The risk of bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's test. The findings were presented using tables, figures, and statements. This study was not funded by any organization.

Results

Eleven studies having 6132 participants were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16-27). In subanalysis, according to the American Heart Association ( ≥ 130/80 mmHg), the pooled prevalence was 29% (95% CI: 18-40). However, according to the International Society of Hypertension ( ≥ 140/90), the pooled prevalence was 16% (95% CI: 13-20).Sex (AOR = 2.49, 1.48-3.49), age ≥55 years (AOR = 2.68, 1.16-4.21), alcohol drinking (AOR = 2.68, 1.68-3.69), body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 (AOR = 2.62, 1.77-3.48), and high triglyceride levels (AOR = 1.87, 1.22-2.51) were significantly associated with it.

Conclusion

In Ethiopia, about one in five adults ≥ 18 years has undiagnosed hypertension; therefore raising public awareness for medical checkups, early hypertension detection, and treatment is suggested. However, these findings cannot be generalized to pediatrics.

Undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among adults in ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a major public health problem, resulting in 10 million deaths annually. Undiagnosed hypertension affects more people than ever before. It is more likely to be linked to severe hypertension, which can lead to stroke, cardiovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Databases, such as Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, AJOL, and the Cochrane Library, were systematically searched to find potential studies published until December 2022. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to enter the extracted data. The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors was estimated using a random effect model. I2 statistics and the Cochrane Q-test were used to assess statistical heterogeneity across the studies. Begg's and Egger's tests were performed to identify possible publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of ten articles with 5,782 study participants were included in this meta-analysis. In the random effects model, the pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 18.26% (95% CI = 14.94-21.58). Being older (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 2.56, 5.66), having a body mass index > 25 kg/m2 (OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 2.1, 3.53), having a family history of hypertension (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.47, 3.36), and having DM comorbidity (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.38, 4.32) were significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension.

CONCLUSION

In this meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was found to be high in Ethiopia. Being older, having a BMI > 25 kg/m2, having a family history of hypertension, and having DM comorbidity were found to be risk factors for undiagnosed hypertension.