Key result
Abdominal obesity was independently associated with roughly three times higher odds of arterial hypertension among adult healthcare users in Butembo, DRC.
Why the study?
Hypertension is a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, but local evidence on its burden and associated factors in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains limited.
Cross-Sectional (n=145)
No
This cross-sectional study demonstrates a high prevalence of hypertension (44.8%) among adult healthcare users in Butembo, DRC, identifying abdominal obesity, male sex, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and older age as independent predictors to target for routine screening and lifestyle intervention.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Abdominal obesity may warrant inclusion in hypertension screening in similar settings; extends limited African cross-sectional data but leaves causality and generalizability open.
Background Hypertension is a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, local evidence on its burden and associated factors in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains limited. This study aimed to determine the proportion of hypertension and identify its associated factors among users of the Centre Hospitalier Médico-Diététique Père Morand Kleiber in Butembo. Methods A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2025 to May 2026 among 145 adults aged 25 years and older. Participants were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral factors, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters were collected. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with hypertension. Results Among the 145 participants, 65 (44.8%) were hypertensive. The proportion of hypertension increased with age, from 13.6% among participants aged 25–34 years to 80.0% among those aged 65 years and older. In multivariable analysis, abdominal obesity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–5.8; p < 0.001), male sex (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2–3.9; p = 0.009), current smoking (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.0–4.5; p = 0.049), sedentary lifestyle (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.5; p = 0.03), and increasing age (aOR = 1.04 per year; 95% CI: 1.01–1.07; p = 0.01) were independently associated with hypertension. Unhealthy diet and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with hypertension after adjustment. Conclusion A high proportion of participants had hypertension, with age, male sex, abdominal obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle identified as independently associated factors. Strengthening routine blood pressure screening, waist circumference assessment, and lifestyle interventions may improve hypertension prevention and management in Butembo. Larger population-based studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Mundeke et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Arterial hypertension (n=145). Abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥94 cm in men and ≥80 cm in women) vs. No abdominal obesity was evaluated on Arterial hypertension (SBP ≥140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication) (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.8, p=<0.001). Abdominal obesity was independently associated with roughly three times higher odds of arterial hypertension among adult healthcare users in Butembo, DRC.
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