Blood Pressure Control and Associated Factors among Hypertension Comorbid Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. Hypertension is the main contributor to the morbidity and mortality of patients with cardiovascular disease. Even though hypertension is very common in comorbid type 2 diabetic patients, it is frequently overlooked. This study aimed to assess blood pressure control and its associated factors among hypertension comorbid type 2 diabetic patients in Bale Zone public hospitals in Southeast Ethiopia. Methods and Materials. A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among hypertension comorbid type 2 diabetic patients. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and a review of the medical charts of patients. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. The bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between blood pressure control and its associated factors. Independent variables that showed a $P<0.25$ in the bivariate analysis was included in the multivariate analysis. Finally, variables with a $P<0.05$ were declared statistically significant factors. Results. The total number of participants in the study was 378. The overall magnitude of uncontrolled hypertension among hypertension comorbid diabetic patients was found to be 82.5% (95% CI: 78.7%, 86.4%). Nonadherence to antihypertensive medication (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.11, 5.39, $P=0.027$), duration of hypertension >10 years (AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.27, 21.38, $P=0.022$), participants who attended secondary education (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.18, 8.87, $P=0.023$), and being obese (AOR = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.24, 13.49, $P=0.021$) were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Conclusion. Uncontrolled hypertension was found to be high among hypertension comorbid type 2 diabetic patients. Patients’ adherence to antihypertensive medication, physical activity, and alcohol abstinence should be maximized. Loss of weight is also crucial, as is the early detection and management of comorbidities.