[Prehypertension and hypertension : Analysis of sociodemographic and behavioral factors in an Ivorian population].

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the preventable causes of premature morbidity and mortality worldwide. The term "prehypertension", defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) between 120 and 139 mmHg and/or diastolic BP between 80 and 89 mmHg, was introduced in 2003 and concerns around 25% to 50% of adults worldwide. The objective of this work was to describe some sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with prehypertension compared to hypertension in a black population.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the commune of Anyama, located about 10 km from the city of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected. Body mass index and abdominal obesity were defined. BP was measured and was categorized into two modalities: prehypertension and hypertension. Data were entered with Epi data® software and analyzed with R studio® software. The existence of associations was determined using Pearson's Chi-square test at the 0.05 significance level. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed.

Results: Five hundred and seven (507) people were recruited with a mean age of 35.9 ± 12.8 years, among whom 266 had prehypertension (52.5%) and 140 had hypertension (27.6%). Age, wealth index, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and abdominal obesity were associated with blood pressure. Prehypertension was very high in younger subjects compared to older subjects with a gradually decreasing odds ratio as individuals aged (p=0.001). The determinants of prehypertension compared to hypertension were age less than 44 years; absence of sedentary lifestyle; and absence of obesity.

Conclusion: Some sociodemographic and behavioral factors were favorable for prehypertension compared to hypertension.