Prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among adult South Sudanese Refugees in BidiBidi Refugee Settlement, Yumbe District, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Uganda is currently hosting 1.3 million refugees. According to World Health Organization, 32% of recent refugees worldwide have hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among South Sudanese refugees is not known. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among adult South Sudanese refugees living in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, Yumbe district. Methods: This study was cross-sectional and conducted in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, Yumbe district, West Nile Uganda. Multi-stage sampling was used. A total of 417 adult South Sudanese (both men and women) were randomly selected from 9 villages within the settlement. Quantitative data were captured using Epi-data, and analyzed using Stata version13. Univariate, bivariate and multi-variate analysis was carried out. Modified poisson regression analysis was done to determine the independent factors associated with hypertension. Results: This study revealed that 18.7% of the respondents had hypertension. More than half of the respondents (55.4%) had never been screened for hypertension and only 12.8% knew their hypertension status. The factors significantly associated with hypertension included: age (50 years and above) AOR 3.23, 95% CI (1.93-5.39), working in the formal sector AOR 0.23, 95% CI (0.05-101), physical-inactivity AOR 1.50, 95% CI (1.01-2.24), not consuming alcohol AOR 0.48; 95% CI (0.30-0.76) and obesity AOR 2.16, 95% CI (1.44-3.25). Conclusion and recommendations: The study found the prevalence of hypertension was 18.7%. The factors associated with hypertension included age, obesity, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption. There is need for health personnel working with refugees to promote screening of refugees for hypertension, undertake health promotion and also ensure availability and accessibility of anti-hypertensives in the refugee setting.