Control of Blood Pressure and Complication Presence in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a common chronic disease and an important public health problem. The prevention of complications depends on hypertension control. Aim: To assess blood pressure control, complication presence, and their influencing factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with hypertension attending a private medical facility, a governmental facility, and a primary health care center in Khartoum, Sudan, between September 2022 and February 2023. Statistical Package for Special Sciences version 25 was used for data analysis; frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. A chi-square test was used for co-relation analysis; a P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and the confidence interval was 95%. Results: The study included 250 participants; 55.6% were males. Their age was 58.77 ± 6.80 years, and they had hypertension for 10.7 ± 8.51 years. The duration of the disease was 10.7 ± 8.51 years. Systolic blood pressure was 127.1 ± 11.3 mm hg, and diastolic blood pressure was 81.6 ± 7.1 mm hg. Of the participants, 76.4% had controlled hypertension, while 27.6% had complications due to hypertension. Controlled blood pressure was associated with females, age group 40 - 60 years, normal waist circumference, and high adherence level (P ≤ 0.05). The presence of complications was associated with males, participants older than 60 years, and a low adherence level (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: In Sudan, the level of control is good; nonetheless, not all patients achieve it. Availability and access to treatment facilities and medications should be improved. Proper patient counseling should be offered, as well as continuous care.