Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Bangladesh: identifying gaps in awareness and misinformation

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Adults aged >=70 years had higher odds of being unaware of their hypertension or diabetes compared to those under 30.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Hypertension and diabetes (n=13344). Intervention: Age >= 70 years vs. Age < 30 years. Primary outcome: Unawareness of hypertension or diabetes status (self-reported status compared with biomarker- or medication-defined disease) (OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.53-3.86, p=<0.001).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

Assess the prevalence, awareness, and misinformation regarding hypertension and diabetes among adults in Bangladesh to identify high-risk populations.

Raaj Kishore Biswas; Awan Afiaz; Md. Hasibul Islam Jitu; Bushra Chowdhury; Sharmin Sultana; Ahmed Moosa; Enamul Kabir; Jahar Bhowmik; Nicholas A. Koemel; Luigi Fontana

doi:10.1186/s12889-026-28453-3

July 14, 2026BMC Public HealthOpen Access

Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Bangladesh: identifying gaps in awareness and misinformation

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Key result

Age >=70 linked to ~3.1-fold higher odds of hypertension or diabetes unawareness.

OR 3.12
95% CI 2.53-3.86
P<0.001
n=13,344

Why the study?

What is the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Bangladesh, and which sociodemographic factors are associated with disease unawareness and misinformation?

Key Points

Assess the prevalence, awareness, and misinformation regarding hypertension and diabetes among adults in Bangladesh to identify high-risk populations.
Analyzed nationally representative data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey comprising 13,344 adults aged 17–95 years.
Measured blood pressure and fasting capillary blood glucose, categorizing awareness by comparing participant self-reports against biomarker and medication criteria.
Applied complex survey-weighted regression modeling, spatial analysis, and machine learning techniques to assess trends, geographic disparities, and awareness determinants.
Hypertension (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) or diabetes (blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/L) affected 31% of adults overall and 52% of those aged 50 and older.
Overall, 17% of adults aged 50 and older were unaware of their condition, with 34% in this group having undiagnosed hypertension and 38% of affected adults across all ages unaware of their diabetes.
Odds of disease unawareness were higher in adults aged 30–39 (OR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.75, 2.56) and aged 70 and older (OR 5.61, 95% CI: 4.36, 7.20) versus those under 30, and higher among obese individuals (OR 3.07, 95% CI: 2.33, 4.05) versus underweight individuals.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=13,344)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

What is the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Bangladesh, and which sociodemographic factors are associated with disease unawareness and misinformation?

P

Population

13,344 adults aged 17-95 years (55.1% female) from the nationally representative 2022 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey evaluated for hypertension and diabetes prevalence and awareness.

E

Exposure

Sociodemographic and clinical risk factors (including older age, higher BMI, region, education, wealth index, and mobile phone ownership)

C

Comparator

Reference sociodemographic groups (e.g., age < 30 years, underweight BMI, urban residence, Dhaka region, no formal education)

O

Outcome

Non-communicable disease (NCD) awareness status (categorized as correctly informed, disease unaware, or disease misinformed by comparing self-reported diagnosis with biomarker- or medication-defined hypertension [BP >= 140/90 mmHg] or diabetes [fasting blood glucose >= 126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/L])surrogate

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 3.12 (95% CI 2.53–3.86)

Absolute Event Rate: 27.1% vs 10%

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference
Reliance on self-reported data may introduce recall or social desirability bias
Residual confounding from unmeasured genetic, environmental, and behavioural factors including physical activity, sleep, and diet
Small sample sizes prevented fitting spatial lag models for misinformed or unaware groups
Missing data from part of the original sample
Residual confounding from unmeasured genetic, environmental, and behavioural influences (physical activity, sleep, diet unavailable)
Spatial lag models could not be fitted for misinformed or unaware groups due to small sample sizes
List-wise deletion of missing data from part of the original sample

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Implication

Nearly one-third of Bangladeshi adults have hypertension or diabetes (rising to 52% in those over 50), with substantial diagnostic awareness gaps among older and obese individuals that highlight an urgent need for targeted community screening.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing health burden in low- and middle-income countries, with hypertension and poor glycaemic control being key contributors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, awareness, and misinformation surrounding hypertension and diabetes in Bangladesh, identifying high-risk groups. METHODS: Data from the nationally representative 2022 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey were analysed, covering 13,344 adults aged 17-95 years. We applied complex survey weighted regression modelling, spatial analysis, and machine learning techniques to explore trends, regional disparities, and factors influencing NCD awareness. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) or diabetes (blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/L) was 31%, rising to 52% among adults aged 50 + . Notably, 17% of affected individuals in this age group were unaware of their condition. Among adults aged 50 + , 34% had undiagnosed hypertension, while 38% across all ages were unaware of their diabetes. Females developed hypertension earlier than males. Regional disparities were evident, with the highest NCD prevalence in Feni (40%), Naogaon (37%), and Natore (36%). Awareness varied by age, sex, BMI, and mobile phone ownership, which was linked to misinformation. Adults aged 30-39 had 2.11 times higher odds of unawareness (95% CI: 1.75, 2.56), rising to 5.61 times in those aged 70 + (95% CI: 4.36, 7.20) compared to those under 30. Obese individuals were 3.07 times more likely to be unaware than those classified as underweight (95% CI: 2.33, 4.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals gaps in health literacy and screening access, contributing to the escalating NCD burden in Bangladesh.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Biswas et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension and diabetes (n=13,344). Age >= 70 years vs. Age < 30 years was evaluated on Unawareness of hypertension or diabetes status (self-reported status compared with biomarker- or medication-defined disease) (OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.53-3.86, p=<0.001). Adults aged >=70 years had higher odds of being unaware of their hypertension or diabetes compared to those under 30.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a59c5a7a58755010b47114e https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-28453-3

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Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Bangladesh: identifying gaps in awareness and misinformation

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Bangladesh: identifying gaps in awareness and misinformation

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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