Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Bangladesh: Findings from National Demographic and Health Survey, 2017-18

ObjectiveTo estimate the age-standardised prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension; and to identify their risk factors in Bangladeshi adults 18 years and above using the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18 data. MethodsData from 12, 904 Bangladeshi adults aged 18 years and older available from the most recent nationally representative BDHS 2017-18 were used. Hypertension was defined as having systolic blood pressure [≥]140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure [≥]90 mmHg, and/or taking anti-hypertensive drugs to control blood pressure. Age-standardised prevalence of hypertension and control were estimated with direct standardisation, and a multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression model with a robust variance was used to identify factors associated with hypertension and its awareness, treatment, and control. ResultsThe overall age-standardised prevalence of hypertension was 40.0% (95% CI, 38.9-42.2); (men: 37.1%, women: 42.0%). Among those with hypertension (n=3531), 44.3% were aware that they had the condition and 39.1% were taking anti-hypertensive medication. Among those treated for hypertension (n=1306), only 41% had controlled hypertension. Factors independently associated with hypertension were increasing age, higher body mass index, being women, having diabetes, and residing in selected administrative divisions. A declining trend of hypertension control was observed with increasing age and those not being educated. ConclusionHypertension is highly prevalent (4 out of 10) in Bangladeshi adults, while awareness, treatment, and control are low. Irrespective of risks associated with hypertension and its management, awareness and control programmes should be given high priority in reducing hypertension, and improving hypertension control in Bangladesh.