Abstract:
Background: Hypertension is a global public health issue which contributes to 13 % of global deaths. It is also the most common modifiable cardiovascular risk factor worldwide. Controlling blood pressure is associated with reduction in cardiovascular risk and death, as well as health and economic gains. In Ethiopia, particularly in the study area studies on blood pressure control and its associated factors are scarce.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess blood pressure control and identify factors associated with it at Debre Tabor Hospital, South Gondar Zone, ANRS, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2015.
Methods: A hospital based retrospective follow up study from November 10, 2014-May 10, 2015 were employed. All hypertensive patients who were on treatment and fulfilled the criteria during the study period were included in the study. A structured questionnaire which was adapted from WHO STEP wise approach was prepared to collect the data. Both primary and secondary data were taken. Controlled blood pressure was defined as average BP of <140/90 mmHg (< 150/ 90 mmHg for age 60 years) based on three blood pressure readings taken every other month from patients chart starting 6 months back from the study period.
Data was entered using EPI INFO version 7 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Frequencies, means, and standard deviations were used to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were also carried out.
Results: A total of 392 respondents participated in the study with a response rate of 98.74 %. The overall prevalence of controlled hypertension was 42.9% (95% CI: 38.3, 47.4). The multivariable analysis showed that female (AOR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.15, 3.26), age group of 18-40 years (AOR= 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.85) and 41-60 years (AOR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.83), vegetable consumption on most days of the week (AOR= 2.16, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.73), use of top added salt on a plate (AOR=0.20, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.36), adequate physical exercise (AOR=4.85, 95% CI: 2.39, 9.83), having asthma (AOR =0.33, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.88), number of drugs taken per day (AOR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.67) and adherence to antihypertensive drugs (AOR= 5.59, 95%CI= 2.83, 11.07) were significantly associated with blood pressure control.
Conclusion and recommendation: Only 42.9% of hypertensive patients were controlled their blood pressure and it’s significantly lower in men than women. Factors such as sex, age, vegetable consumption on most days of the week, use of top added salt on a plate, adequate physical exercise, having asthma, number of drugs taken per day and adherence to antihypertensive drugs were significantly associated with blood pressure control.
Recognizing the fact that controlling blood pressure reduces CVD morbidity and mortality and prevents costly interventions, it is recommended to policy makers to develop strategies and efforts in collaborate with stakeholders about the importance of lifestyle modifications, early diagnosis and management of co morbidities, and adherence counseling to improve the management of hypertension.
