Prevalence and predictors of uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among adults with HIV in northern Tanzania

ABSTRACT

HIV is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but there has been less study of cardiovascular comorbidities among people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. In a cross-sectional observational study, Tanzanian adults presenting for outpatient HIV care completed a questionnaire and underwent weight, height, blood pressure, and blood glucose measurement. Hypertension was defined by blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or self-reported hypertension. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg. Diabetes was defined by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl, random glucose ≥200 mg/dl, or self-reported diabetes. Obesity was defined by body mass index ≥30 kg/m². Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of uncontrolled hypertension. Among 500 participants, 173 (34.6%) had hypertension, 21 (4.2%) had diabetes, and 99 (19.8%) were obese. Of those with hypertension, 116 (67.1%) were unaware of their hypertension, and 155 (89.6%) had uncontrolled hypertension. In multivariate analysis, uncontrolled hypertension was associated with older age (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05–1.10, p < 0.001) and higher body mass index (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.11–1.22, p < 0.001). Interventions are needed to improve screening and treatment for hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among Tanzanians with HIV.

KEYWORDS:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• HIV
• hypertension
• diabetes mellitus
• obesity

Disclosure statement

JTH’s institution received research funding from Abbott Point-of-Care and Roche Diagnostics for studies in which he was a co-investigator. All other authors have no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Duke University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), an National Institutes of Health funded programme (P30 AI064518, awarded to JTH).