Divine TIM BONGHASEH1,2,3
1Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy (CRENC), 2Health and Human Development Research Network (2HD), 3Baptist Hospital Mutengene
Background: Hypertension frequently occurs in patients with diabetes and their coexistence significantly increases risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. There is little or no information on this association in primary health care worldwide; with no published data on the subject in Cameroon
Objectif: To assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in patients with diabetes attending primary health care facilities in the Northwest regions of Cameroon
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study in 25 rural primary health care facilities in the North-West Region of Cameroon from December to March, 2017. Adults (? 21 years) with diabetes and followed up in these facilities were included by multistage sampling. Blood pressures (BP) and anthropometric parameters were measured using standard procedures. Hypertension control was assessed according to the eight Joint National Committee and the American Diabetes Association guidelines. Factors associated with blood pressure control were investigated using logistic regression models. Level of significance was set at p<0.05
Results: One hundred and sixty-five participants were included, with a mean age of 60.5 years and male to female ratio of 1:1.5. The majority (n=160, 97%) had type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension was 80.6% (95% CI = 74.5 – 86.7%). Among these, 89.5 % were aware of their status and 89.1% of those aware of their status were on antihypertensive medication. Thiazide diuretics and calcium channel blockers were the most prescribed medication in 56.9% and 48.2% of cases respectively. Only 34.7% (95% CI = 27.3 – 42.2%) of treated participants had their BP controlled to target.
Conclusion/Recommandation: Four out of every five adults with diabetes in our study had hypertension. Though awareness and treatment rates were high, control remained low; also, ACEI which are the recommended antihypertensive drug class are seldom used. This implies that there is need for a more aggressive management of hypertension in patients with diabetes in primary health care facilities in Cameroon. Health care personnel should also be trained in antihypertensive drug class selection in patients with hypertension.
Key Words: Hypertension, Diabetes, Primary health Care, Cameroon