PREVALENCE, COMORBIDITIES AND CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION IN A WEST AFRICAN PERI-URBAN POPULATION

Objective: In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension has become a major public health problem that contributes to the increase in premature deaths in this region. The objective of this survey was to investigate comorbidities and determine the level of hypertension control in hypertensive patients in a West African population Design and method: This cross-sectional survey concerned adults aged 18 and over and was conducted in a peri-urban population in West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire). Sociodemographic data (age, sex, marital status, education level, occupation) were collected. A history of diabetes and hypertension was sought. Lifestyle data (tobacco and alcohol consumption) and some cardiovascular risk factors were collected. Blood pressure was measured with an OMRON M6 electronic blood pressure monitor in the sitting position after 5 minutes of rest. Capillary blood glucose was measured with a glucometer in fasting participants. Weight was measured by a scale and catch on the identity document. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg and/or antihypertensive treatment during Results: Three hundred and eighty (380) people were surveyed, 39.8% were men and 60.2% women. The average age was 40.4 ± 13.8 years. The 35-44 age group represented more than a quarter of the population. The mean systolic blood pressure was 128.6 ± 25.3 mmHg. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 80.6 ± 13.7 mmHg. The prevalence of hypertension was 39.2%, more than half of the population were women. Hypertension affected 41.6% of men and 58.4% of women; women were more hypertensive than men (p = 0.03). Among those with known hypertension, 31.6% had controlled blood pressure. The prevalence of diabetes was approximately 10%. Nine percent (9%) of individuals had both hypertension and obesity and less than two percent had the comorbidity hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Conclusions: In this African population, less than half of the hypertensive individuals had their blood pressure controlled. The focus should be on awareness to avoid complications