Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among nurses working in private and public tertiary hospitals in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Nurses face numerous occupational stressors associated with an increased risk of hypertension. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among nurses in private and public tertiary hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2023 among nurses from one private and one public tertiary hospital. All eligible nurses in the private hospital were recruited, while stratified random sampling was used to recruit nurses at the public hospital. Data were collected using questionnaires and physical measurements (blood pressure, weight, and height). Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥130/80 mmHg, self-reported history of hypertension, or current use of antihypertensive medication. Descriptive statistics summarized participants' characteristics, and logistic regression analysis identified factors independently associated with hypertension. Among 360 nurses [median age 29 years (IQR 27-31), 60% < 35 years, 57.5% female], 28.9% were hypertensive. After adjusting for age, sex, and high cholesterol, several factors were independently associated with hypertension. Nurses aged ≥55 years had significantly higher odds of hypertension (AOR 9.20; 95% CI:5.90-14.56). Higher educational attainment (AOR 5.20; 95% CI:2.49-11.01), being unmarried (AOR 1.91; 95% CI:1.09-3.36), physical inactivity (AOR 3.23; 95% CI:2.39-15.60), overweight (AOR 2.73; 95% CI:1.29-3.75), obesity (AOR 3.30; 95% CI:3.13-13.05), poor dietary practices (AOR 2.73; 95% CI:1.29-13.75), and short sleep duration (≤5 hours) (AOR 4.20; 95% CI:1.06-7.73) were significantly associated with hypertension. Work-related stress (AOR 2.86; 95% CI:1.06-7.73) and attending to >15 patients per day (AOR 3.67; 95% CI:1.32-5.40) were also associated with increased risk. The study revealed a significant prevalence of hypertension among nurses, associated with behavioral and work-related factors. Interventions promoting healthy diets, physical activity, and stress management at the workplace are recommended to safeguard nurses' health and improve healthcare delivery.