Hypertension Prevalence and Associated Lifestyle Risk Factors Among Adults in Urban Rwanda: A Cross-Sectional Study at Remera Health Centre

Background: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, and its burden is growing very fast in sub-Saharan Africa as a result of urbanization and changing of lifestyles. This research established the prevalence of hypertension and also investigated the relationship of hypertension with lifestyle factors in urban Rwandese adults. Methods: The cross-sectional study design was done in June-September 2024 in Remera Health Center, Kigali, among the 398 adults aged 19-65 years. WHO STEPS-based questionnaires that included sociodemographics, dietary habits, physical activity, substance use, sleep, and stress were used to gather data. The standardized procedures were followed to measure blood pressure using validated blood pressure monitors. Hypertension was determined as systolic blood pressure 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure 90 mmHg or the use of antihypertensive drugs. Chi-square tests were used to test differences between lifestyle variables and hypertension. Findings: The prevalence of hypertension was 14.8 (95% CI: 11.5-18.7), and 71.2% of hypertension was recently diagnosed. The prevalence rate escalated as age rose (8.9% (19-35 years) to 27.0% (51-65 years) (p<0.001). Close relationships were discovered with excessive salt intake (22.7% vs. 4.9 p= 0.001), physical inactivity (20.3% vs. 5.3 p= 0.001), palm oil use (p= 0.001), insufficient fruit/vegetable intake (p= 0.003), alcohol intake (p= 0.002), passive smoking (p= 0.001), short sleep duration (p= 0.001), high stress. Conclusions: Hypertension is a major urban public health issue under-diagnosed, and it is closely linked to lifestyle changes. The results indicate the acute requirement of global interventions focusing on diet change, physical activity enhancement, stress management, and better screening to prevent and manage hypertension in Rwanda. Reflected