Prevalence and determinants of self-reported hypertension in urban poor settlements of Johannesburg
Date
2017
Authors
Kinara, Fossa Ogake
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background: Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Africa. Cardiovascular disease is rated as the number one cause of death in Africa. Previously, hypertension was known to predominantly affect the affluent population but recently the condition has been emerging even among the poorer population, rendering it a greater burden. In South Africa its prevalence level has significantly escalated, particularly in urban areas, with higher incidence among the poor. The prevalence of self-reported hypertension and its risk factors is not well documented in the urban impoverished settlements. Understanding determinants and the prevalence of self-reported hypertension in these areas will help develop improved awareness, prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of self-reported hypertension in five urban impoverished sites in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Methods: Secondary data analysis was done on data from the HEAD study which involved a sample of households from five urban poor areas. Prevalence levels of self-reported hypertension were estimated within the study areas. Summary measures of the data were computed and presented in a descriptive table. Distribution of the potential risk factors by prevalence of self-reported hypertension was also done. Lastly, binary logistic regression was used to model the unadjusted and adjusted association between the identified risk factors and self-reported hypertension.
iv
Results: The prevalence of self-reported hypertension among households in the five urban impoverished sites was 20 percent (n=107). The independent predictors of hypertension were study area (Riverlea, Hillbrow), race, age, gender (0.25-0.49 and ≥0.75), work (0.5-0.74, and ≥0.75), monthly income (ZAR 1000-2000, 2001-5000, and >5000), presence of another non-communicable disease and socioeconomic status (middle). Results from the adjusted model showed that race, sex, age and presence of at least one other non-communicable disease are were significantly associated with self-reported hypertension
Conclusion: The study’s findings strengthen the case that age, sex, race, and co-morbid non-communicable diseases are associated with self-reported hypertension. Interventions that target the urban poor population and that focus on increasing awareness and context specific risk reduction are recommended. Further, the association with these factors should be confirmed by carrying out a more robust population-based study to inform policy
Description
A research report submitted to the School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. November 2017.