Prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors in Ndera sector, Gasabo district of Rwanda: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Hypertension remains a major global health challenge, including in low- and middle-income countries. In Rwanda, a lack of adequate information and healthcare services impacts healthcare-seeking behaviors, contributing to undiagnosed hypertension in rural areas. Therefore, the need to determine its prevalence and associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 393 adults in the Ndera Sector, of Rwanda’s Gasabo District, through a multistage sampling technique. Data was gathered using the WHO STEP-wise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire; physical examination was done to determine blood pressure and body-mass index (BMI), after which the data collected was analyzed using SPSS. Newly diagnosed hypertension was determined when on two different intervals, systolic blood pressure readings was > 140 mmHg, and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings was > 90 mmHg, in the absence of previous hypertension diagnosis. Results The overall prevalence of hypertension among patients at Ndera sector was 15%, all of which were newly diagnosed. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 37 (13.7) years and half (53%) were women. The mean systolic blood pressure for men was 124.3 mmHg compared to 120.9 mmHg for women (p = 0.043, 95%CI: 0.12–6.74). Women had a significantly higher mean BMI (26.0) compared to men (22.8) (p