Undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among long distance bus drivers in Addis Ababa terminals, Ethiopia, 2022: a cross sectional study.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hypertension is the major public health problem and often is unrecognized, of which detection and control of it should receive high priority. The level of undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among long distance bus drivers is unknown in Ethiopia. Objective: This study was intended to assess prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among long distance bus drivers in Addis Ababa bus terminals. Methods: A facility -based cross-sectional study was employed on 391 long distance bus drivers from December 2021 to January 2022 in five cross country bus terminals in Addis Ababa. Standardized and structured questionnaire was adapted based on the World Health Organization stepwise approach to non-communicable disease study and translated to Amharic. This study applied face to face interview method for the data collection purpose on part 1 of socio-demographic, behavioral, knowledge, relevant medical history and part 2 approach on physical measurements of blood pressure and body mass index. Data was coded, cleaned and entered by Epi-data version 4.6, and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 26 for further analysis. Logistic regression analysis was employed. Variables with a P value < 0.25 in bivariable analysis were selected for multivariable logistic regression analysis. Independent variables with P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant variables. The magnitude of association between independent and dependent variables was measured by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results: In this study 391 study participants were involved with response rate of 97.1%. The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 22.5 % (CI: 18.7%, 26.6%). In the final model, multivariable logistic regression, poor level of knowledge (AOR: 2.00, CI 1.08, 3.70), long-duration of driving per day (AOR: 2.50 , 95% CI 1.37-4.56), habit of chewing of chat 2.61 (AOR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.44, 4.73), regular alcohol consumption (AOR=3.46; 95% CI: 1.70, 7.05), overweight(AOR:3.14, 95%CI 1.54,6.42) obesity (AOR: 3.21, 95% CI 1.35, 7.61) and regular physical exercise(AOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.29) were statistically significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension. Conclusion: This study revealed that prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among long distance bus drivers was 22.5%, which was associated with modifiable behavioral factors, lack of regular physical exercise, lack of adequate awareness and high body mass index. Recommendation: Necessary preventive measures by stakeholders need to be implemented. These includes, increasing level of awareness about hypertension by community health workers, developing strategies and policies focusing on life style , behavioral, and occupational modifications. Keywords: Undiagnosed Hypertension, long distance bus drivers, Addis Ababa