Hypertension in South Africa between 2008 and 2017: an analysis of National Income Dynamics study data.
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Date
2020
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Abstract
The world is faced with unprecedented increases in non-communicable and lifestyle-related
diseases. This growth is of grave concern as these diseases have become the leading cause of
global mortality. Hypertension is one of the leading lifestyle-related diseases. In South Africa,
the increase in the prevalence of hypertension seeks to threaten a healthcare sector that is
already inundated with a high burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis as well other infectious and
non-communicable diseases. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to determine the burden
of hypertension between 2008 and 2017 in South Africa as well as the demographic and
socioeconomic profiles of those that are at risk in order to contribute to the growing but limited
existing body of literature that examines this. It is a quantitative study which analysed
secondary data from the National Income Dynamics Surveys’ Waves 1 and 5 using multivariate
logistic regression to determine the relationship between independent demographic and
socioeconomic variables and hypertension. The sample size from this data is over 28 255
individuals and 7305 households. The study also employed the Social Determinants of Health
(SDOH) as the underlying theoretical framework to guide the study.
Key findings indicate that overall, there is a significant association between high blood pressure
and demographic and socioeconomic factors amongst South African adults. High blood
pressure was highest amongst females than males and those aged 65+. The data analysis also
revealed that high blood pressure was impacted by marital status, wealth quintile, educational
attainment and employment status. Interestingly, contradictory to the literature reviewed, the
study found that White South Africans were most at risk instead of Africans. Whilst the
literature highlighted the importance of behavioural changes to combat hypertension, it equally
emphasized the need to look at health factors beyond biological and genetic factors. The study
recommends that future policies and intervention strategies recognize that improving the
socioeconomic status and decreasing demographic inequality is imperative in any attempts
aimed at decreasing negative health outcomes. Underestimating the influence these factors
have, will lead to futile combat efforts as the prevalence of hypertension and other diseases
grow rapidly.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.