The Risk Factors for Undiagnosed and Known Hypertension among Malaysians

@#Background: The prevalence of known hypertension has resulted from the progression of undiagnosed hypertension. This study is targeted to examine and compare the risk factors based on the estimated odds ratios of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors on different outcome levels of hypertension. Methods: A nationwide representative secondary data from the Fourth National Health of Morbidity Survey (NHMS IV) which consists of 24,632 non-institutionalised Malaysian population conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2011 has been used. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval has been estimated using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Obese and overweight respondents exhibit increased likelihood of having undiagnosed and known hypertension. Physically inactive, ex-smokers and unclassified drinkers are found having higher likelihood to have known hypertension. However, current drinkers are found to have higher likelihood of having undiagnosed hypertension. Elderly, retirees, home makers and lower educated respondents are shown higher odds to have undiagnosed hypertension. Likewise, the likelihood of having known hypertension has been found to increase among the elderly and other Bumiputra. Conclusion: Through this research, significant predictors which consist of obese and overweight respondents, current drinkers, older respondents (above 65 years old) and primary educated respondents are having higher likelihood to have undiagnosed hypertension.

Risk Factors Of Newly Diagnosed Hypertension Among Individuals In Malaysia

@#The aim of this study is to examine the influence of risk factors which include modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors on the likelihood of newly diagnosed hypertension among Malaysians. A cross-sectional population-based survey: The Fourth National Health and Morbidity Survey (2011) was conducted by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia in 2011. The sample included 20,095 participants. This study uses binomial logistic regression techniques to predict the likelihood of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of newly diagnosed hypertension among the individuals. The analysis has been carried out by estimating odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. This study reveals that obese and overweight respondents as well as current drinkers have increased chances of having newly diagnosed hypertension. In contrast to that, only physically inactive respondents exhibit lower odds of newly diagnosed hypertension. Besides that, the significant predictors, which include older respondents, retirees and home makers, as well as lower educated respondents are respectively found to be more likely to have newly diagnosed hypertension. On the other hand, female respondents, urban dwellers, including the Chinese and Indian respondents, the highest income earners and underweight respondents have been found to have statistically significant lower odds of newly diagnosed hypertension. Through the insightful findings and evidence, this research provides a platform for the early detection and prevention of newly diagnosed hypertension. Hence, this study offers a means to monitor and control the increasing prevalence of newly diagnosed hypertension in Malaysia.