Prevalence, Awareness, and Control of Hypertension in Health Workers of Two Teaching Hospitals of Yaounde-Cameroon: The Hypertension Awareness Initiative (THAI) Pilot Survey
Introduction: High blood pressure is a public problem worldwide because of its high morbidity and mortality. The greatest burden is in low-income set-tings. The burden of disease has not been studied in health workers in our setting. Methods: Between December 2016 and June 2017, we carried out a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study in two teaching hospitals in Yaounde, using the WHO STEP wise approach. Participants were consenting Physicians, Nurses, Midwives, and Nursing assistants of both sex, aged ≥ 21 years. Results: A total of 266 health workers were screened—31 Physicians, 144 Nurses, 80 Nursing assistants, and 11 Midwives. Their mean age was 41.1 ± 7.6 years (25 to 66 years), and 84.6% were females. The prevalence of Hypertension was 13.9%, of which 54.1% were newly diagnosed—Awareness rate of 45.9%. The control rate of known cases of hy-pertension was 64.7% (64.3% in those on monotherapy, and 66.7% in those on bitherapy). Age > 40 years, and adiposity were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: Compared to the general population, the prevalence of hypertension amongst health workers was low, but with a high rate of un-awareness.
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Amougou, S. N. , Tchokote, K. K. , Hamadou, B. , Jingi, A. M. , Nganou-Gnindjio, C. N. , Ngwet, M. N. , Kuaté, L. M. , Jemea, B. , Epok, L. E. , Danwé, D. and Kingue, S. (2018). Prevalence, Awareness, and Control of Hypertension in Health Workers of Two Teaching Hospitals of Yaounde-Cameroon: The Hypertension Awareness Initiative (THAI) Pilot Survey. Open Access Library Journal, 5, e4820. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104820.
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