Abstract:
Background: High blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure at or above 140
mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure at or above 90 mmHg. Hypertension is the most
common single risk factor for cardiovascular related deaths and disability globally and in
Sub-Saharan Africa, countries are experiencing an unexpected rise in the incidence of
hypertension. It is being the root cause of the body system and organ failure, remains to be
major public health challenge globally. Though the problem is huge in both developed and
developing countries, data are limited in developing countries like Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, the
prevalence of hypertension was estimated to be 16% in 2015. However, large number of
patients (76.6 %) were never measured their blood pressure.
Objectives: The study aimed to assess the Prevalence and associated factors of high blood
pressure among adults in Metu town, 2022.
Methods: The study employed community based cross sectional study design. A total of 608
study participants were included and selected by using multistage sampling technique. Data
were collected by using a pretested structured questionnaire from June01- 30, 2022.
Procedurally blood pressure was measured using adult size automatic Omron
sphygmomanometer with patient appropriate sitting position. Have the patient sitting
comfortably with their back supported, their feet uncrossed and flat on the floor. The data
were entered in Epi Data v3.1 and analysed in SPSSv26. Descriptive statistical analyses such
as frequency and cross tabulation was calculated to measure the prevalence for selected
variables versus the prevalence of high blood pressure. . Binary logistic regression was used
to examine the possible risk factors for high blood pressure and risk factors with p-value <
0.25 were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. Statistical significance was
determined at P-value < 0.05.
Results: The respondents age ranged from 18 to 62 years and nearly half (50.5%) of them
were male. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 125.61 millimetres of
Mercury (mmHg) (14.25 SD) and 76.77 mmHg (8.82 SD), respectively which was normal.
The prevalence of high blood pressure was 18.5%, 95% CI (15, 22.3). Male sex (AOR=2.3,
95% CI:1.2,4.7), chewing chat (AOR=10.6, 95% CI: 4.9, 23.1), smoking (AOR=7.2, 95%
CI:2.5-20.5), Family history of hypertension (AOR=2.4, 95% CI:1.0-5.7)were statistically
significant associated factors for high blood pressure in adults But regular physical exercise
helps as protective against high blood pressure (AOR=0.04, 95% CI: 0.011-0.2).
Conclusion: This study indicated that high blood pressure was becoming higher. The study
identified risk factors for high blood pressure in adults, and most are modifiable. Hence,
stakeholders may use the finding to develop preventive and control strategies to decrease the
burden of high blood pressure