Key result
Obesity is linked to ~4-fold higher odds of hypertension, whereas psychological stressors show no association.
Why the study?
Hypertension prevalence is increasing in South Africa due to epidemiological transition involving nutrition, urbanisation, and racial and geographic divides, but associations with traditional and less traditional risk factors were not fully characterized.
Cross-Sectional (n=7,443)
Yes
Odds Ratio: 3.874
p-value: p=<0.001
Traditional risk factors such as age, male gender, diabetes, and obesity, rather than social stressors, are the primary drivers of hypertension in the South African population.
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Traditional risk factors were associated with hypertension; supports their prioritization while leaving open social stressors' role in prospective studies.
Mbewu et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=7,443). Traditional and non-traditional risk factors vs. Reference groups was evaluated on Hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or self-reported medication usage) (AOR 3.874, p=<0.001). Increasing age, male gender, diabetes, family history, and obesity (AOR 3.874, P<0.001) were significantly associated with hypertension, while social stressors and psychological distress were not.