Prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension among police officers in the Goma Garrison, DR Congo.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of hypertension and to examine its risk factors among police officers in the garrison of the city of Goma in North Kivu, D.R.Congo. Material and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among police officers in the garrison of the city of Goma in February 2020. The garrison had a total of 3428 police officers. We used a sample of 440 police officers drawn in clusters in proportion to their respective numbers. Blood pressure (BP) was measured after 4 minutes of relaxation in a seated position on the left arm at the level of the heart using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was defined by a BP ≥ 140/90mm Hg (SBP and DBP) or the notion of antihypertensive treatment regardless of BP. Logistic regression was used to find the odds ratios, 95% confidence interval and p-value. Results The prevalence was 42.5% among police officers in Goma. Factors associated with a higher likelihood of having hypertension among police officers were age 60–79 years versus 20–39 years (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.45–2.74, p < 0.001); PNC seniority greater than 21 years (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.21–2.09, p < 0.001): 1.21–2.09, p = 0.002); abdominal obesity (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI:1.82–2.66, p < 0.001); alcohol intake (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI : 1.13–1.86, p = 0.002); sedentary (AOR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.69–3.18, p < 0.001); family history of hypertension (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.52–2.30, p = 0.001). Conclusion The adoption of regular sports practice among and the reduction of alcohol intake would contribute to the reduction of cases of hypertension.