Prevalence of Hypertension and Linkages Care Among Healthcare Workers. A Case of Sally Mugabe Centra Hospital

Abstract

Globally, hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature mortality, since only 30 to 50% of the patients are controlled. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease. The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of hypertension and to find out the determinants of linkage to care practices among HCWs screened at SMCH in 2021. An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted using an intervieweradministered questionnaire and physical measurements. Males made up 22% of the participants. At enrolment, 14.9% (n=111) had elevated blood pressure, of which about two thirds (67%) of the known hypertensives had poorly controlled hypertension. Fortyseven participants were referred for further care and about three quarters (72%) were linked to care. Participants with moderate hypertension were 1.4 times more likely to link to care compared to those with mild hypertension [OR= 1.5, 95%CI= (0.36 to 5.9), p-value= 0.599]. Those with severe hypertension were 3.2 times more likely to link to care compared to those with mild hypertension [OR= 3.2, 95%CI= (0.3 to 30.6), pvalue= 0.318]. Participants who were older than 50 years were 22 times more likely to link up to care as compared to those who were younger than 30 years [OR= 22.5, 95%CI= (1.5 to 335.4), p-value= 0.024]. Diabetic participants were 3 times more likely to link up to care compared to participants with no medical conditions [OR= 3.7, 95%CI= (0.4 to 33.2), p-value= 1.150]. Participants on medical insurance are 56 times more likely to link to care compared to participants who are not on medical insurance [OR= 56.8, 95%CI= (8.4 to 386.5), p-value= 0.001]. Increasing level of education was associated with an increase in the likelihood of successful linkage. Programs are needed to improve the surveillance systems and implementation of wellness screening programs for early detection of hypertension.