What Factors are Associated with Hypertension in Four Gulf Cooperation Council Countries? A Comparison of Measured and Diagnosed Indicators

Abstract

Concern about the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases and health risks are becoming an important aspect in the reduction of mortality in GCC countries. Hypertension is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in GCC countries, and this study aims firstly to identify the percentages of non-diagnosed and measured hypertension in all four chosen countries. Secondly, the most significant factors associated with measured and diagnosed hypertension will be investigated. Finally, comparison between and within four GCC countries; Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait will be undertaken.

This study used the World Health Survey Plus (WHS+) from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. This survey is nationally representative of the adult population of 18 years and over. Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed in order to assess the associations of demographic, socioeconomic and health factors and to identify the most groups that suffering from hypertension in all four GCC countries.

According to the study results, the highest percentage of non-diagnosed and measured hypertension was found in the UAE with 52%, while the lowest percentage was in Saudi Arabia with 14%. There was found to be an increased probability of measured and diagnosed hypertension with age in all four countries. Another significant socioeconomic factor was education level; the probability of measured and diagnosed hypertension decreased with increase in level of education in all countries, except in the UAE, where the probability was the highest for highly educated individuals. Finally, obesity and diabetes were two other significant health factors in all four GCC countries.

To conclude, age is the most significant demographic factor associated with the prevalence of hypertension in all four GCC countries and other important factors are education level, obesity, and diabetes. A few individuals had untreated hypertension, which indicates that hypertension treatments alone are insufficient in order to control blood pressure.