A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree in
Master of Science in Public Health Research at Nelson Mandela African Institution of
Science and Technology
Effective use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), has greatly upgraded the quality of life and
survival of individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS. However, the incidence rate of
hypertension is reported growing up. The overall aim was to find out the prevalence of
hypertension and its association with HIV related factors in HIV patients on ART, in
Bagamoyo district Tanzania. The design was a cross-sectional study of HIV patients on ART
visiting care and treatment clinics. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140
mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or being on medications for hypertension.
Logistic regression was applied during the analysis. The study investigated 328 HIV patients
on ART, 64.6% were female, and 92.68% on non-protease inhibitors medication and 14%
had a prior history of TB in the past 5 years. The overall prevalence of hypertension was
29.3% and it was significantly and positively associated with increasing age (years): 40-59,
3.40 (1.80-6.41) 0.001, ≥ 60, 9.25 (3.96-21.60) 0.001, obesity 3.63 (1.60-8.26) 0.002, nonprotease
inhibitors
4.31
(1.16-16.03)
0.029
and
tenofovir
4.27
(1.15-15.96)
0.031.
Both
of
the
duration
since HIV diagnosed, recent CD4+cell count and history of TB in the past 5 years
were not statistically significant associated with increased odds of having hypertension. In
conclusion the prevalence of hypertension in HIV patients on ART was 29.3% and it was
significantly and positively associated with increasing age, obesity, and non-protease
inhibitors. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, anthropometrics, and ART drug toxicity are
crucial among HIV patients.