Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Socioeconomic and Demographic Determinants of Hypertension Among Adults in Salé-Morocco in 2021: a Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and socio-economic and demographic risk factors of HTN in the adult population of Salé, Morocco. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in February 2021, using a stratified probabilistic sampling plan with two stages. Based on a questionnaire, we gathered information on hypertension and some socio-economic and demographic variables. Results: The overall prevalence of HTN among adults (18 years and older, N = 1308) in Salé was 10.2% (n = 133, 95% CI: 8.6%, 11.9%). This prevalence was equal to that recorded nationally in 2018; 8.2% of men and 12.0% of women were hypertensive. HTN prevalence increased with age in both sexes. Among hypertensive people, 96.2% (n = 128, 95% CI: 92.0%, 98.6%) were aware of their disease, and 73.9% (n = 98, 95% CI: 65.7%, 80.6%) were following regular treatment for raised blood pressure. It was also found that gender, age, educational level, marital status, occupation, smoking status, being either head of the household or not, and diabetes status were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: Salé city is dealing with serious and multiple health problems (stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure, arteriopathy of the lower limbs, and risk of fetal mortality…) as well as costly therapy. Our research suggests that decision-makers and healthcare management in Salé should pay more attention to developing adequate hypertension preventive and treatment strategies. Keywords: Prevalence, Hypertension, Epidemiology, Chronic disease, Risk factors, Sale, Morocco