Publication: Undiagnosed and Uncontrolled Hypertension and Access to Health Care among Residents of an Urban Area of Eastern Nepal: a Cross-sectional Study
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
The burden and complication of hypertension is increasing as most of the people
living with hypertension are unaware of their condition and those who are already
diagnosed with it do not have their blood pressure under control.
Objective
To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension among
residents of Itahari sub metropolitan city of eastern Nepal, along with its associated
socio demographic and behavioral risk factors and access to health care services.
Method
Cross sectional study was conducted in five wards of Itahari, among 1161
participants, using population proportionate to sample size sampling technique. Face
to face interview was conducted with participants for data collection applying semi–
structured questionnaire and physical measurement like blood pressure, weight and
height.
Result
Prevalence of hypertension was 26.5% includingundiagnosed 11.0% and previously
diagnosed 15.5%. Among diagnosed, 76.6% had uncontrolled blood pressure and
56.70% were taking anti-hypertensive medicine, and 7.8% were under Ayurvedic
medicine. More than 70% participants preferred private health facility for treatment
and 22.7% had faced financial barrier to seek healthcare. About 64% of participants
did not visit health services or had visited only once in past six months. Increasing
age, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking status and positive family history were found
to be significantly associated with hypertension at < 0.05 level.
Conclusion
Prevalence of hypertension is high and awareness regarding available health services
in local primary health center and its utilization is lacking among participants.
Regular screening program for hypertension and awareness program to disseminate
the knowledge of availability of primary health center should be conducted.
KEY WORDS
Health care access, Undiagnosed hypertension, Urban area
Description
Kasaudhan SM,1 Ghimire A,1 Sharma SK,2 Baral D,1 Jha N,1 Singh SB1
1School of Public Health and Community Medicine
2Department of Internal Medicine
BP. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
Dharan, Nepal
Keywords
Health care access, Undiagnosed hypertension, Urban area