Assessment of Health Seeking Behavior on Hypertension and Associated Factors at Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center, Southwest Ethiopia.

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.