Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
E O Owolabi, D T Goon and O V Adeniyi
University of Fort Hare, South Africa
Walter Sisulu University, South Africa
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Cardiolog
Hypertension is the most important preventable cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Yet, local data on hypertension awareness, treatment and control are scarce among South African adults, especially the rural dwellers and low-income earners. We examined the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among adults attending health facilities in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). A cross sectional survey of 998 adults (ΓΆΒ?Β¥18 years) across 3 large outpatient clinics in BCM was done. Participants were interviewed using the WHO STEPwise questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP) measurement was obtained in accordance with standard protocols. Hypertension was defined as a BP of ΓΆΒ?Β¥140/90 mmHg or previous diagnosis of hypertension. Participants who reported being informed of their hypertensive status by health professional(s) were considered aware of the condition. Controlled hypertension was defined among those on treatment in accordance with the Eight Joint National Committee (2014) as BP <140/90 mmHg. Prevalence and awareness of hypertension among the participants were 49.2% and 69.1%, respectively. Hypertension unawareness (n=152) were common among men (38.3%), monthly income greater than R 2000 (40.0%), singles (39.4%), age less than 45 years (55.1%), unemployed (45.4%), cigarette smokers (50.0%) and alcohol users (48.9%). Of the participants who knew they were hypertensive, 91.7% were already on treatment and only 38.6% of them had achieved controlled hypertension. Monthly income less than R 2000 and diabetes were associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Prevalence and treatment of hypertension is very high in the study population. However, suboptimal control of BP among treated individuals suggests substantial room for improvement in the treatment of hypertension.
Email: owolabiomolara101@gmail.com