A survey of risk factors associated with hypertension in the adult population of Kang, Kgalagadi North, Botswana

Abstract

Background: Sustainable and aggressive population-based programs for hypertension awareness, prevention, treatment, and control are key factors towards a successful control of the epidemic. The objective of this study was to determine to what extent hypertension and risk factors for its development were prevalent in the Kang Village community in Botswana and to specifically assess its prevalence in the adult populations and its relationship with high blood pressure, anthropometric measures and lifestyle factors, i.e. diet and the use of tobacco products and alcohol. Method: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 161 adult residents of Kang aged 18 year-old and older from November to December 2008. A questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) stepwise approach to surveillance of chronic disease was used for the data collection. Results: The prevalence of hypertension among the adult population of Kang was found to be 32% (95% confidence index: 25-40). There was no significant sex difference in the prevalence rate in men (28%) versus women (34%),(p = 0.59). Hypertension was more prevalent in the overweight group compared with the normal weight group (p = 0.3), in the obese group compared with the normal weight group (p = 0.002), and in the obese group compared with the overweight group (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The study showed that hypertension affected almost a third of the adult population of Kang, and was significantly associated with overweight and obesity. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2015; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2014.976963