Undiagnosed Hypertension and Associated Factors among Adult Dwellers in Hawela Tula Sub City, Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study
Abstract Introduction Hypertension is a common public health problem and often goes unnoticed and can lead to a stroke or heart attack. It contributes to the high burden of cardiovascular disease, premature mortality, reduced quality of life and high costs to the health care system, especially in low and middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and influencing factors with health-seeking behaviour.Method A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 390 randomly selected adults in Hawela Tulla Sub-city, Hawassa, southern Ethiopia from February to June, 2019. Data was collected by pre-tested questionnaires and physical measurements of weight, height and blood pressure were collected through standardized procedures adapted from WHO STEPS survey tools. Data entry and analyzed for descriptive and logistic regression models by SPSS v.23. The result declared as statistically significant at p < 0.05.Result The prevalence of the undiagnosed hypertension among the respondents was 12.3%. The male [AOR= 3.70, 95% CI:1.64-8.32] than female contributing. Family history of hypertension had [AOR 3.69, 95% CI: 1.31-10.34], being physical inactive [AOR 3.21, 95% CI: 1.50- 6.84], salty food consumer [AOR 3.67, 95% CI:1.26-10.64], BMI 25 Kg/m2 and above [AOR 3.06, 95% CI:1.41-6.65] and not seek health care for some early hypertensive symptoms without serious illness [AOR 4.58, 95% CI: 1.85-11.32] when compared to their counterparts, were found to be determinant factors for undiagnosed hypertension.Conclusions and Recommendation The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension found to be prevalent and calls for intervention. Health officials need to consider integrating the prevention and control of hypertension at the community level. The clinicians need to intervene on unhealthy lifestyles, by promoting healthy practices and health-seeking behavior to prevent undiagnosed hypertension.