Key result
Hypertension affects 1.5% of the Lesotho household population with most diagnosed patients seeking treatment.
Why the study?
Although sub-Saharan Africa has a high burden of hypertension, no study had assessed hypertension burden and treatment-seeking among the household population of Lesotho.
Cross-Sectional
Yes
Despite free treatment, one in three diagnosed hypertensive patients in Lesotho do not seek treatment, highlighting a need for improved healthcare delivery and community-based interventions.
Regional hypertension burden and 67% treatment-seeking in Lesotho vary by district; leaves open targeted implementation research before practice change.
Attributed to poverty and resource constraint situations, the population in low- and middle-income sub-Saharan countries like Lesotho is at high risk of preventable non-communicable diseases such as hypertension. Literature showed a high burden of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. However, no study assessed the burden of hypertension and the situation of treatment-seeking among the household population of Lesotho. Objectives The study aimed to assess the regional patterns of hypertension and treatment-seeking among the household population of Lesotho. Methods We analysed recently released Lesotho DHS 2023 data and presented district- and ecological zone-wise prevalence of hypertension and treatment-seeking among the Lesotho household population. Results The prevalence of hypertension among the household population was 1.5% (95% CI 1.40-1.66). Prevalence was highest in Maseru district (2.4%; 95% CI 1.90-2.90) and lowest in Thaba-Tseka district (0.6%; 95% CI 0.37-0.86). The treatment-seeking among diagnosed individuals in Lesotho was 66.8% (60.21-74). Thaba-Tseka district (50%) and capital city Maseru (51%) had the lowest number of patients who took treatment for hypertension. Conclusions and Recommendations The prevalence of hypertension is high among the Lesotho household population. Further, despite treatment being provided free of charge, every one out of three patients don’t take antihypertensive treatment. Despite high prevalence, the treatment-seeking is lowest in the capital city, Maseru. Priority attention should be given to districts such as Maseru, Mafeteng, Quthing, Qacha’s Nek, and Thaba-Tseka, where treatment-seeking is low. This highlights the need for revising the existing healthcare delivery mechanism and prioritising community needs in health policy. Community-based interventions promoting healthy lifestyles and periodic monitoring were recommended.
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Tikhute et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension. Geographic region was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (95% CI 1.40-1.66). The prevalence of hypertension among the Lesotho household population was 1.5% (95% CI 1.40-1.66), with treatment-seeking among diagnosed individuals at 66.8%.
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