The Prevalence of Uncontrolled Hypertension among Patients Taking Antihypertensive Medications and the Associated Risk Factors in North Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Background. Uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) is a challenge for public health professionals all over the world. It is the leading and most important modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, renal diseases, and retinopathy. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of uncontrolled HTN among Palestinian hypertensive patients on treatment. In addition, the study aimed to explore the relationship between socio-demographic and clinical factors with HTN control as well as establish a comprehensive literature review for similar studies. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted. 218 hypertensive patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Results. HTN is not adequately controlled in over 60% of treated patients. Factors that were linked to uncontrolled HTN and were statistically significant as per this study were diabetes (p = 0.010), high BMI (p = 0.009), smoking (p < 0.0001), lower educational level (p = 0.002), and monotherapy (p = 0.004). Conclusion. The results suggest that effective efforts on improving HTN control are strongly needed. The efforts need to target hypertensive patients who are also smokers, diabetics, having a low education level, and have a higher-than-normal BMI.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Open Research
Data Availability
The datasets generated and analysed during the present study are not publicly available due to participants’ private policies and research regulation agreement related to Al-Najah National University but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.