Prevalence and predisposing factors for self-reported hypertension in Bhutanese adults

Authors

  • Kinley Wangdi The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • Tshering Jamtsho The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v10i1.25466

Keywords:

Bhutan, hypertension, National Health Survey 2012, risk factors, Bhutan, hypertension, National Health Survey 2012, risk factors

Abstract

Background: Bhutan underwent a nutrition transition in the last two decades. Diet has changed from high-fibre, high carbohydrate and low-fat diets to food with high sugar, fat, salt and processed foods. This is further compounded by a sedentary lifestyle. This paper aims to determine the national prevalence of hypertension and study the associated correlates in Bhutanese adults.

Materials and Methods: This study used secondary data from the Bhutan National Health Survey 2012 (NHS, 2012) which was a nationwide survey covering all 20 districts in Bhutan. The dependent variable was self-reported hypertension under medication. Multivariable logistic regression was undertaken to identify independent correlates of hypertension.

Results: The national prevalence of hypertension was 17.4% (5,408). Risk factors for hypertension were female sex, increasing age, occupation of armed forces, manager, technician, service and sales worker, machine operator and monks, diabetes, and feeling worried. Being single was negatively correlated with hypertension. In addition, hypertension is negatively associated with the poverty of the district.

Conclusion: Hypertension was associated with age, being women, occupation with less physical activity, being worried and having diabetes. The preventive measures both at community and healthcare facility-based through cost-effective strategies should target these covariates.

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Author Biographies

Kinley Wangdi, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Research Fellow, Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, ANU and Medical Officer, Phuentsholing General Hospital, Phuentsholing, Chukha Bhutan.

Tshering Jamtsho, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

PhD Student, School of Demography, ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences

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Published

2020-03-30

How to Cite

Wangdi, K., & Jamtsho, T. (2020). Prevalence and predisposing factors for self-reported hypertension in Bhutanese adults. Nepal Journal of Epidemiology, 10(1), 830–840. https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v10i1.25466

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Original Articles

License

  • Upon acceptance Copyright on any research article is transferred in full to the Confederation of Epidemiological Associations (CEA) and International Nepal Epidemiological Association (INEA).  The copyright transfer includes the right to reproduce and distribute the article in any form of reproduction (printing, electronic media or any other form).
  • Articles in the Nepal Journal of Epidemiology are Open Access articles published under the Creative Commons CC BY License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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