Tim Divine B^1,2,3, Lambed Tatah², Valirie Agbor-Ndip⁴, Anastase Dzudie^3,5, Simeon Pierre Choukem^2,5

Author affiliations:

1. Baptist Hospital Mutengene,
2. Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Network,
3. Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy (CRENC) Research Network,
4. Ibal Oku sub-divisional hospital, ⁵Douala General Hospital

Corresponding author: Simeon Pierre CHOUKEM email: Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension frequently occurs in patients with diabetes and their coexistence significantly increases risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.  Our objective was to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in patients with diabetes attending primary health care facilities in Cameroon.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in 25 rural primary health care facilities in the North-West Region of Cameroon during December to March, 2017. Adults (≥ 21 years) with diabetes and followed up in these facilities were recruited via multistage sampling. Blood pressures and anthropometric parameters were measured using standard procedures. Hypertension control was assessed according to the eight Joint National Committee and the American Diabetes Association guidelines. Factors associated with blood pressure control were investigated using logistic regression models.

Results: One hundred and sixty-five participants were included, with a mean age of 60.5 years and male to female ratio of 1:1.5. The majority (n=160, 97%) had type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension was 80.6% (95% CI = 74.5 – 86.7). Among these, 89.5 % were aware of their status and 89.1% of those aware of their status were on antihypertensive medication. Calcium channel blockers and thiazide type diuretics were the most prescribed medication in 48.2% and 56.9% of cases respectively. Only 34.7% (95% CI = 27.3 – 42.2) of treated participants had their BPs controlled to target. Only calcium channel blockers were significantly associated with good BP control.

Conclusion: Four out of every five adults with diabetes in our study had hypertension. Though awareness and treatment rates were high, control remained low. This implies that there is need for a more comprehensive approach towards management of hypertension in patients with diabetes in primary health care facilities in Cameroon.

Keywords: Hypertension, Diabetes, Prevalence, Control, Primary health care, Cameroon