Socio-Demographic Correlates of Hypertension Among Women (15-49years) in Lesotho: A Descriptive Analysis

Hypertensive disorders are among the leading conditions for severe maternal morbidity across all regions and has a major impact on health care costs. The aim of this study was to determine the sociodemographic correlates of hypertension in Lesotho. Methods: For analysis, women of women of childbearing age (15–49 years) who have ever given birth in the five years preceding the 2014 LDHS. The dependent variable of this study is hypertension. Univariate and bivariate analyses were done. The correlation was tested using Pearson correlation coefficient while binary logistic regression are used to determine sociodemographic correlates of hypertension Results: Results from this study revealed that one out of every five respondents of the study had hypertension and 79.3 % of the respondents were in prehypertension stage. The situation adds to overall future risk of hypertension. About 20% percent who were at stage 2 of hypertension (SBP ≥ 160 (mmHg) or DBP SBP ≥ 100 (mmHg) were either living with a partner or widowed. Higher ages (45–49 years) of women was found to be significantly associated with high blood pressure levels. Conclusion: Chances of being diagnosed with high blood pressure increased with an increase with age of the respondents. Age was found to be most significant sociodemographic correlate of hypertension. To control hypertension programs should also focus on the psychosocial hypertension interventions for Basotho women in the higher risk groups.