Abstract
Hypertension (HTN) is recognized as a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular
deaths in South Asia. Our aim was to furnish a comprehensive analysis of HTN
prevalence, trends, control efforts, awareness, barriers in care deliver and associated
factors, based on nationally-derived evidence in Sri Lanka. A systematic search of
online databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus), local journals and repositories
yielded 6704 results, of which 106 were included. Prevalence of HTN steadily
increased from 23.7% (2005-6) to 34.8% (2021). Associated factors identified were
hyperhomocysteinaemia (OR:2.80), overweight/obesity (OR:2.02), perceived job stress
(OR:2.20-3.02), physical inactivity (OR:2.08-2.80), salt intake>5g/day (OR:2.50),
smoking (OR:2.31) and waist-to-height ratio≥0.5 (OR:2.23). Cohort studies revealed
poor blood pressure control and treatment adherence among patients.
Pharmacological (n=4) and non-pharmacological (n=6) interventional studies were few.
Studies on knowledge, attitudes and practices demonstrated a lack of public
awareness. Despite the high prevalence of HTN in Sri Lanka many cases remain
undiagnosed, underscoring importance of targeted screening programmes and culture-specific public health education programmes.
deaths in South Asia. Our aim was to furnish a comprehensive analysis of HTN
prevalence, trends, control efforts, awareness, barriers in care deliver and associated
factors, based on nationally-derived evidence in Sri Lanka. A systematic search of
online databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus), local journals and repositories
yielded 6704 results, of which 106 were included. Prevalence of HTN steadily
increased from 23.7% (2005-6) to 34.8% (2021). Associated factors identified were
hyperhomocysteinaemia (OR:2.80), overweight/obesity (OR:2.02), perceived job stress
(OR:2.20-3.02), physical inactivity (OR:2.08-2.80), salt intake>5g/day (OR:2.50),
smoking (OR:2.31) and waist-to-height ratio≥0.5 (OR:2.23). Cohort studies revealed
poor blood pressure control and treatment adherence among patients.
Pharmacological (n=4) and non-pharmacological (n=6) interventional studies were few.
Studies on knowledge, attitudes and practices demonstrated a lack of public
awareness. Despite the high prevalence of HTN in Sri Lanka many cases remain
undiagnosed, underscoring importance of targeted screening programmes and culture-specific public health education programmes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Hypertension |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Dec 2024 |