Abstract:
Background: Hypertension, the leading cause of mortality and the third largest cause of disability
in the world. It is a growing public health problem in many developing countries including.
However, it is poorly controlled worldwide. The fact shows that no study has been conducted in
seeking health for hypertension in South West Ethiopia.
Objective: This study aim is to assess the health seeking behavior on hypertension and associated
factors among adults in gilgel gibe field research center, South-West Ethiopia.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional chronic illness survey was conducted in 2008-09 in
Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center, Jimma Zone, and South -West Ethiopia. Adults aged 15-64 y
were recruited using random sampling technique after stratifying by age, sex and residence. Data on
socio-demographic characteristics of adults and chronic non-communicable diseases inventories
were collected using face-to-face interviewing and systolic and diastolic blood pressure
measurements were also measured. This analysis was part of the survey for determination of
magnitude of Chronic Non Communicable Diseases, risk factors of chronic noncommunicable
diseases and biochemical, immunological and hematological value determination for the community
at gilgel gibe field research center.
Results: A total of 4315, 52% female and 75% rural residents were included in this analysis. About
22% were aged 55 years or older. The proportion of those seeks blood pressure measured in the past
12 month were 9.9% (11.4% female and 8.2% male). About 17% (18% female and 6% male) of the
9.9% were told they had raised blood pressure by doctors or other health professionals. Of those
who never had their BP measured almost 8% (7% female and 9% male) were diagnosed as
hypertensive. Residence, occupation, educational level, age and BMI measure were among the
factors associated with seeking health for hypertension.
Conclusion: The study revealed there were a higher proportion of respondents who never measured
their raised blood pressure. It indicates majority of the community were poor in seeking health for
hypertension. Being rural, being an uneducated, being nonpaid worker, being housewife, aging and
being obese were a factors associated with seeking health for hypertension among gilgel gibe field
research center adults. It is recommended to focus on this determinant when planning to control
chronic noncommunicable diseases specially on hypertension.
