Discerning Social Determinants of Health Associated with Blood Pressure Control of Hypertension for Patients at Murang’a County Referral Hospital, Kenya Synthesizing a Hypertensive Patient Profile for SDOH at Risk
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Our study investigated the link between blood pressure control and the Social Determinants of Health of 142 adult hypertensive patients, treated at Murang’a County Referral Hospital, Kenya, during November 2023 while receiving blood pressure interventions. Blood pressure readings were obtained from hospital records. A systematic random sampling technique was used for recruiting participants. Quantitative data was collected through a semi structured questionnaire to assess categorical variables: demographics, income, education, employment, health literacy, and access to healthcare. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 22.
Our research revealed that, with the availability of hypertensive therapies, individual blood pressure rates remain suboptimal for the participant population. We found that only 43% (61) achieved targeted blood pressure levels at less than 140/90 mm Hg. Concurrently, we monitored significant determinants of blood pressure control, including advanced age, illiteracy, less frequency of hospital visits, lack of access and affordability of healthcare services, and lack of psychosocial support system.
Our research confirmed that adult hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure together remain leading contributors to cardiovascular issues in Murang’a community, and Social Determinants of Health were at serious risk for unsuspecting individuals, each playing a critical role with influencing individual health outcomes.
