Epidemiology of hypertension among adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The public health significance of hypertension is increasing in low- and middle-income countries. However, there is limited epidemiological evidence in Ethiopia. We assessed the prevalence of hypertension and explored its predictors among adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2021 among randomly selected adults aged 18-64 years. A face-to-face interview using an adapted STEPwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire was conducted. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model was fitted to determine factors associated with hypertension. The sample consisted of a total of 600 adults (mean age: 31.2 ± 11.4 years, 51.7% women). The overall age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 22.1% and 47.8% according to the Seventh Joint National Commission (JNC7) and the 2017 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, respectively. About 25.6% were newly diagnosed with hypertension. The age groups of 40-54 years (AOR = 8.97; 95% CI: 2.35,34.23), and 55-64 years (AOR = 19.28; 95% CI: 3.96,93.83) as compared to the 18-24 age group, male sex (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.22,6.87), obesity (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.02,3.59), abdominal obesity (AOR = 4.26; 95% CI: 1.42,12.81), and very poor sleep quality (AOR = 3.35; 95% CI: 1.15,9.78) were independent predictors of hypertension. This study revealed that the burden of hypertension among adults is very high. Hypertension is independently associated with older age group, male sex, obesity, abdominal obesity, and poor sleep quality. Therefore, the study highlights the need to develop regular blood pressure surveillance programs, weight loss intervention, and improvement of sleep quality.