Prevalence and Predictors of Newly Diagnosed Hypertension in an Opportunistic Screening Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Solela Gashaw , Tewabe Elias , Ambachew Rediet , Kassahun Samuel , Arega Balew , Legese Seble 
Published: May 2024

Background: Hypertension is highly prevalent in the general population, and it is a recognized risk factor that underlies the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases. Because of its major role as a cause of death and morbidity, its detection is crucially important for public health, and in line with this, guidelines like the European Society of Hypertension recommend opportunistic screening for hypertension in all adults. However, there are no studies on the prevalence and predictors of hypertension using opportunistic screening strategies in many African countries, including Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of newly diagnosed hypertension in an opportunistic screening program in Ethiopia.
Methods: This was an institution-based cross-sectional study conducted on adult participants (≥ 18 years old) in an opportunistic hypertension screening program at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire, which was prepared using the WHO STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. The descriptive analysis was used to compile the sociodemographic data, lifestyle factors, and clinical profiles of the participants. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of hypertension by using the crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: A total of 301 adult participants were included in this study. The mean age of the participants was 47.6 years (standard deviation: 13.5), and 62% were males. Only 13% had obesity; 62.5% had physical inactivity; and 81.4% were consuming vegetables and/or fruits ≤ 5 days a week. The prevalence of newly diagnosed hypertension was 36.2%. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that male sex (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 4.04), being married (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.84, 2.77) or widowed (AOR = 5.14, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.46), less frequent intake of vegetables and/or fruits (<5 days a week) [<3 days per week (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.12, 7.39, P value = 0.028), and 3 to 5 times per week (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.86, P value = 0.046)], physical inactivity (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.22), and body mass index (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.26), had significant associations with hypertension.
Conclusion: In this study, one out of three individuals had newly diagnosed hypertension in an opportunistic screening program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It has also been shown that important predictors of hypertension were male sex, being married or widowed, less frequent intake of vegetables and/or fruits, physical inactivity, and body mass index. Therefore, targeted interventions are required to improve public awareness about hypertension, and expanding institution-based opportunistic screening programs is a cost-effective approach for early detection of hypertension and improving access to its treatment.