Blood pressure patterns and cardiovascular risk factors in rural and urban gambian communities

Marianne van der Sande, P J Milligan, O A Nyan, J T Rowley, W A Banya, S M Ceesay, W M Dolmans, T Thien, K P McAdam, G E Walraven

Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

Abstract

Hypertension is emerging as an important public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. We studied blood pressure (BP) patterns, hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in a rural and an urban area of The Gambia. A total of 5389 adults (> or =15 years) were selected by cluster sampling in the capital Banjul and a rural area around Farafenni. A questionnaire was completed, BP, pulse rate, height and weight were recorded. Glucose was measured 2 h after a 75 g glucose load among participants > or =35 years (n = 2301); total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and uric acid were measured among a stratified subsample (n = 1075). A total of 7.1% of the study participants had a BP > or =160/95 mm Hg; 18.4% of them had a BP > or =140/90 mm Hg. BP was significantly higher in the urban area. BP increased with age in both sexes in both areas. Increasing age was the major independent risk factor for hypertension. Related cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia) were significantly more prevalent in the urban area and among hypertensives; 17% of measured hypertensives were aware of this, 73% of people who reported to have been diagnosed as hypertensive before had discontinued treatment; 56% of those who reported being on treatment were normotensive. We conclude that hypertension is no longer rare in either urban or rural Gambians. In the urban site hypertension and related cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent. Compliance with treatment was low. Interventions aimed at modifying risk factors at the population level, and at improving control of diagnosed hypertension are essential to prevent future increases of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In view of limited resources and feasibility of intervention in rural Gambia, these could initially be directed towards urbanised populations.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Human Hypertension
Volume14
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)489-496
Number of pages8
ISSN0950-9240
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure/physiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology
  • Female
  • Gambia/epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension/drug therapy
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Health
  • Urban Health

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