Key result
Low socioeconomic status is linked to ~4-fold higher odds of cardiovascular complications in hypertension.
Why the study?
The contribution of socioeconomic and behavioral risk factors to the development of cardiovascular complications among hypertensive patients in Zambia is poorly understood.
Cross-Sectional (n=384)
No
Socioeconomic disparities and modifiable behavioral factors like smoking, alcohol use, and physical inactivity are strongly associated with cardiovascular complications in Zambian hypertensive patients.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Low SES may flag elevated CVC risk in hypertensive adults; leaves open whether interventions targeting disparities improve outcomes.
Background and Aims Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular complications (CVCs), yet the contribution of socioeconomic and behavioral risk factors to CVC development in Zambia is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the association between socioeconomic status (SES), lifestyle behaviors, and CVCs among hypertensive patients at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted using secondary data from 384 medical records of hypertensive adults aged ≥ 18 years at UTH. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, SES, behavioral factors (salt intake, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity), and presence of CVCs (e.g., heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy) were extracted. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and due to evidence of quasi‐complete separation, Firth's penalized logistic regression was applied to improve estimate stability. Results Increasing age was significantly associated with higher odds of CVCs (aOR = 1.097, p < 0.001). Male sex was not significantly associated with CVCs after adjustment (aOR = 1.76, p = 0.24). Low SES was associated with higher odds of CVCs (aOR = 4.09, p = 0.05), although this was borderline significant. Smoking (aOR = 3.09, p = 0.04) and alcohol intake (aOR = 1.13, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with increased odds, while physical activity was strongly protective (aOR = 0.08, p < 0.001). Conclusion Socioeconomic and behavioral factors were associated with the manifestation of CVCs in hypertensive patients. Older age was associated with increased odds of CVCs. Smoking and alcohol use were significant behavioral risk factors, while low SES showed a borderline association. Higher education and physical activity were protective. Public health interventions must integrate targeted lifestyle modification and address socioeconomic disparities to mitigate cardiovascular risk.
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Mwalungali et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=384). Low socioeconomic status vs. High socioeconomic status was evaluated on Presence of cardiovascular complications (CVCs) (aOR 4.09, 95% CI 0.975-17.15, p=0.05). Low socioeconomic status was associated with higher odds of cardiovascular complications among hypertensive adults (aOR 4.09).
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