Prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension among Bangladeshi adults: an analysis of demographic and health survey 2017–18

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in Bangladesh, however, few recent studies investigated the proportion of people and factors associated with prevalence, awareness, and control of this condition in this country. This study investigated these among Bangladeshi adults. METHODS: Using Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18 data, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed after descriptive analysis and prevalence estimation. RESULTS: Among 12,926 persons (mean age: 40 years, 57% women), the prevalence of hypertension was 27.4% (n = 3551), it was 28.4 and 26.2% among females and males, respectively. Among hypertensive people, about 42.4% (n = 1508) people were aware of having it, 48.7% among females and 33.5% among males. Of the 1313 people who were taking antihypertensive medication, only 33.8% (n = 443) had controlled hypertension, 34.7 and 31.7% among females and males, respectively. Among the studied factors associated with hypertension, people with older age, female gender, overweight/obesity, diabetes, richer wealth quintiles, and residence in some administrative divisions had higher odds of hypertension (p < 0.05). However, the odds of awareness was lower among younger people, males, and people without overweight/obesity, diabetes, or richer wealth quintiles. Odds of controlled hypertension was also lower among people with older age and higher among college-educated people. CONCLUSION: This study identified several important factors associated with prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension. It is important to address these factors with nationwide prevention and control programs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40885-021-00174-2.