BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Volume 15, Issue 1, 2015

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control, in male South Asian immigrants in the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study (Article) (Open Access)

Shah S.M.* , Loney T. , Sheek-Hussein M. , El Sadig M. , Al Dhaheri S. , El Barazi I. , Al Marzouqi L. , Aw T.-C. , Ali R.
  • a Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
  • b Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
  • c Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
  • d Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
  • e Ambulatory Health Services, SEHA, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
  • f Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
  • g Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • h Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
  • i Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: South Asian males constitute the largest proportion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. Minimal data is available on the prevalence of hypertension among South Asian immigrants in the UAE. We determined the prevalence, associated factors, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among male South Asian immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh residing in the UAE. Methods: We recruited a representative sample (n = 1375; 76.4 % participation rate) of South Asian adult (≥18 years) immigrant males, including Indian (n = 433), Pakistani (n = 383) and Bangladeshi (n = 559) nationalities in Al Ain, UAE (January-June 2012). Blood pressure, height, body mass, waist and hip circumference data were obtained using standard protocols. Information related to socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, history of diagnosis and treatment of hypertension was collected through a pilot-tested adapted version of the STEPS instrument, developed by the World Health Organization for the measurement of non-communicable disease risk factors at the country level . Results: Mean age of participants was 34.0 years (95 % confidence interval (CI): 33.4, 34.5 years) and the overall prevalence of hypertension was 30.5 % (95 % CI 28.0, 32.8). In this study, 62 % of study participants had never had their blood pressure measured. Over three quarters (76 %) of the sample classified as hypertensive were not aware of their condition. Less than half (48.5 %) of the sample that were aware of their hypertension reported using antihypertensive medication and only 8.3 % had their hypertension under control (<140/90 mmHg). Hypertensive participants were more likely to be overweight (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.43; 95 % CI 1.01, 2.01); obese (AOR = 2.49; 95 % CI: 1.51, 4.10); have central obesity (AOR = 2.01; 95 % CI 1.37, 2.92); have a family history of hypertension (AOR = 1.51; 95 % CI 1.05, 2.17); and were less likely to walk 30 minutes daily (AOR = 1.79; 95 % CI 1.24, 2.60). Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension in a representative sample of young male South Asian immigrants living in the UAE was relatively high. However, the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension within this population were very low. Strategies are urgently needed to improve the awareness and control of hypertension in this large population of migrant workers in the UAE. © 2015 Shah et al.

Author Keywords

Transients and migrants United Arab Emirates Ethnic Variations Hypertension Epidemiology Non-communicable disease blood pressure South Asians

Index Keywords

physical activity Pakistan Pakistani immigrant India South Asian United Arab Emirates blood pressure Waist Circumference Indian human hip circumference comorbidity middle aged Obesity, Abdominal Overweight statistics and numerical data antihypertensive therapy obesity priority journal hypertension ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult cross-sectional study migrant Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants prevalence Article awareness adult antihypertensive agent Bangladeshi Motor Activity Bangladesh family history body mass Antihypertensive Agents body height
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84934889813&doi=10.1186%2fs12872-015-0024-2&partnerID=40&md5=68f4a12644c63b658c74e4fe6f073106
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-015-0024-2
ISSN: 14712261
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English