Blood Pressure Control Associates and Antihypertensive Pharmacotherapy Patterns in Tikur Anbessa General Specialized Hospital Chronic Care Department, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Hypertension is defined as sustained elevation of resting systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or both. In the United States, about 65 million people have hypertension, among these only 59% are being treated, and only 34% have adequately controlled blood pressure. A population based study in Addis Ababa showed adult prevalence of hypertension is 30%. The level of blood pressure control in Tikur Anbessa General Specialized Hospital was unknown. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with poor blood pressure control among ambulatory hypertensive patients Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Hospital ambulatory hypertensive patients. Patients’ card was reviewed to collect a one year BP measurement and the patients were interviewed during data collection. Sample of 271 patients were taken and convenience sampling method was used Result: Greater than half (59.9%) of the patients have uncontrolled blood pressure. Factors like non-adherence (OR=8.41(3.084-22.927)P<0.001), long duration on treatment (OR=3.19(1.051-9.725)P=0.041),obesity(OR=2.803(1.33-5.911)P=0.007), rural residence (OR=16.8(1.754-160.8)P=0.014), high socioeconomic status (OR=6.632(1.49-29.46)P=0.013), family history of hypertension, self-reported excessive salt addition habit (OR=8.78(3.05-25.28)P<0.001,concomitant diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease (OR=23.85(8.19-69.39)P<0.001 Conclusion: Generally the level of blood pressure control at Tikur Anbessa hospital chronic care unit was found to suboptimal. Several factors like non-adherence, long duration on treatment, obesity, rural residence, high socioeconomic status, family history of hypertension, concomitant diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease were found to be associated with poor blood pressure control.