Online Program

318001
Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among the adults of Bangladesh: Estimates from a national survey


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Muhammad A.B. Chowdhury, M.Sc., MPHc, Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Md. Jamal Uddin, P.hD. M.Sc., Department of Statistics, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
Boubakari Ibrahimou, P.hD., Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Md. Rabiul Haque, MSS, MHID, Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
O. Dale Williams, MPH, Ph.D., FAHA, FSCT, Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Background: Hypertension is an increasing problem in South Asia, particularly Bangladesh. Although some epidemiological studies on hypertension have been conducted in Bangladesh, the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in this nation remain unknown.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among adult population of Bangladesh.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Adults aged 35 years and older who participated in the survey were eligible for inclusion. Hypertension was defined by a systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg, or receipt of an anti-hypertensive medication. Hypothesized factors associated with hypertension included age, gender, social status, place of residence and body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression models were used to determine the risk factors of hypertension.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 26.4% (Male-20.3%, Female-32.4%). Hypertension was significantly associated with age, education, social status place of residence (urban or rural), body mass index (BMI) and having diabetes. For example, the likelihood of hypertension was more than four times higher (OR= 4.24, 95% CI: 3.38-5.31) among the higher aged respondents 55-59 years compared to respondents age 35-39 years. Moreover, individuals from highest income (OR= 2.04, 95% CI: 1.63-2.54) and higher BMI (OR= 2.92, 95% CI: 2.10-4.04) had the maximum likelihood of having hypertension than the individuals with lowest income and normal BMI respectively.

Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension is high (>26%) in Bangladesh. In this cross sectional study, increasing age, higher income, obesity were important factors of hypertension. Therefore, health education programmes for changing lifestyles to reduce the risk of hypertension is required in Bangladesh.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Biostatistics, economics
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Public health biology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the findings of previous studies related to hypertension prevalence and risk factors Identify the risk factors of hypertension among adults in Bangladesh

Keyword(s): Heart Disease, Risk Factors/Assesment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I did my undergraduate and masters in statistics and currently I am studying Master of Public Health with concentration in Biostatistics. I have been involved with research since my graduate studies and I also published some articles in journals and conferences. Moreover, I am working as a graduate research assistant at Integrated Biostatistics and Data Management Center, Florida International University where I do research with several research groups.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.