PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF HYPERTENSION AMONG ADULTS OUTPATIENTS ATTENDING MASAKA DISTRICT HOSPITAL-KICUKIRO IN RWANDA

Abstract

Hypertension is a burgeoning public health issue in Rwanda, and understanding its prevalence and associated factors among adults seeking outpatient care at Masaka District Hospital-Kicukiro is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies. There was a paucity of research specifically addressing hypertension prevalence and associated factors. This research aimed to bridge this gap. A cross-sectional study was conducted within Masaka District Hospital focusing on adult outpatients during February 2024. The target population consisted of individuals aged 18 and above attending the hospital. A sample size of 260 respondents was systematically selected. Data was analysed using SPSS version 27. Results indicates that age was a notable predictor, with individuals aged 38-47 years having 1.81 times higher odds (AOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.11-2.95, P = 0.001). Marital status also influenced hypertension prevalence, with married individuals showing significantly lower odds (AOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.90, P = 0.004) compared to unmarried individuals. Additionally, individuals with a monthly household income between 100,000 and 200,000 RWF had significantly higher odds (AOR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.22-8.48, P = 0.042). There is a strong association between socio-demographic, behavioral, dietary, maternal, lifestyle, and health-related factors and hypertension among adult outpatients at Masaka District Hospital-Kicukiro in Rwanda. The researcher recommend the integration of hypertension screening and management services into existing healthcare programs at Masaka District Hospital-Kicukiro District.