Key result
Older age was the most significant socio-demographic correlate of hypertension among women in Lesotho, with those aged 45-49 years having 9.78 times higher odds of being hypertensive compared to those aged 15-19 years.
Why the study?
Hypertensive disorders are leading conditions for severe maternal morbidity and healthcare costs, but the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women of reproductive age in Lesotho needed identification.
Cross-Sectional (n=3,353)
Odds Ratio: 9.78 (95% CI 6.38–15)
p-value: p=<0.001
Hypertension affects approximately 20% of women of reproductive age in Lesotho, with older age (45-49 years) being the strongest socio-demographic correlate.
May support age-targeted hypertension screening in Lesotho women; leaves open causal inference and generalizability.
BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders are among the leading conditions for severe maternal morbidity across all regions and have a major impact on health care costs. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and its associated socio-demographic correlates of hypertension among women of the reproductive ages in Lesotho. METHODS: The study used the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (2014 LDHS) data set. A total of 3353 women of childbearing age (15-49 years) whose blood pressure was measured were used for analysis. The blood pressure readings were categorized according to the JNC7 cut-offs. The dependent variable of this study is hypertension. Both bivariate and binary logistic regressions were performed to determine socio-demographic correlates of hypertension. RESULTS: Results from this study revealed that one out of every five respondents of the study had hypertension compared to 23% who were in the prehypertension stage. The situation adds to the overall future risk of hypertension. About 30% percent who were at the hypertension stage were either living with a partner or widowed. The odds of being hypertensive were significantly 9.78 times higher among women aged 45-49 years [CI: 6.38-15.00]. Other factors associated with hypertension among women of the reproductive ages were "living with a partner" [OR 3.55:95% CI: 1.76-7.16], widowed [OR 2.61:95% CI: 1.89-3.60], and residing in the Maseru district [OR 2.12: 95% CI: 1.49-3.03]. CONCLUSION: Chances of being diagnosed with high blood pressure increased with an increase with the age of the respondents. Age was found to be the most definite positive significant socio-demographic correlate of hypertension among women in Lesotho. To control hypertension, primary prevention strategies should target the identified high-risk -older age groups, the ever-married as well as prehypertensive women.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lebuso et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=3,353). Age 45-49 years vs. Age 15-19 years was evaluated on Hypertension (OR 9.78, 95% CI 6.38-15.00, p=<0.001). Older age was the most significant socio-demographic correlate of hypertension among women in Lesotho, with those aged 45-49 years having 9.78 times higher odds of being hypertensive compared to those aged 15-19 years.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: