Prevalence and factors associated with treatment and control of hypertension among adults with hypertension in Myanmar.

BACKGROUND: Due to a dearth in the number of studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of the treatment and control of hypertension among patients with hypertension in Myanmar. METHODS: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 adults who were registered for hypertensive treatment in health centers in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, Myanmar. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of treatment and control of hypertension was 48.1% and 20.5%, respectively. The factors associated with treatment were age (OR=2.60 for 46-60 y and OR=2.29 for 61-70 y compared with 30-45 y), ethnicity (OR=1.87), monthly family income (OR=1.90), comorbidity (OR=2.33), knowledge (OR=2.63) and adherence to physical activity (OR=1.86). Controlled hypertension was associated with age (OR=3.03 for 46-60 y and OR=2.27 for 61-70 y compared with 30-45 y), education (OR=1.81), comorbidity (OR=1.67) and adherence to medication (OR=3.45). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of treated and controlled hypertension was relatively low in this study. To improve the prevalence of hypertension treatment and control in this study population, effective and culturally sensitive intervention programs under universal health coverage should be established with an emphasis on individuals with lower educational attainment and younger ages.

Multiple self-care behaviors and associated factors in community-dwelling patients with hypertension in Myanmar.

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of self-care behaviors and the associated factors among hypertensive patients in primary care in Myanmar. This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2019 among 410 hypertensive patients in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, Myanmar. Hypertensive patients aged 30-70 years old and being registered at the community health centers in Myitkyina Township were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling. Self-care behaviors were measured by Hypertensive Self-Care Activity Level Effect (H-SCALE). Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to explore the associated factors. Prevalence of adherence to multiple self-care behaviors were low: avoidance of tobacco use at 50.2%, followed by physical activity at 24.9%, medication at 24.1%, weight management at 9.5%, and healthy diet at 2.7%, while abstinence from harmful alcohol drinking was high at 97.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that younger patients, low family income, inadequate knowledge, and no comorbidity were associated with non-adherence to medication. Living in rural area and having poor self-efficacy were associated with non-adherence to weight management, while being younger, female and having poor self-efficacy were also associated with non-adherence to physical activity. Compared with Kachin, other ethnics were more likely to be non-adherent to avoidance of tobacco use. Although a majority of respondents were not harmful drinkers, adherence to medication, healthy diet, physical activity, weight management and avoidance of tobacco use were very low. Health practitioners should provide education programs for hypertensive patients to direct them towards practical techniques in managing their blood pressure.