Hypertension and Socioeconomic Status in South Central Uganda: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Abstract

<b>What is already known about this subject?</b> Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.There are few large epidemiological studies that investigate the relationship between hypertension and socioeconomic status in low-income countries. <b>What are the new findings?</b> Hypertension is common among adults in rural South-Central Uganda, particularly among those with higher socioeconomic status.BMI is a mediator of the relationship between hypertension and socioeconomic status. <b>How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future?</b> These findings suggest that public health interventions and community efforts to prevent chronic cardiovascular disease and hypertension should focus on lifestyle modification by elucidating obesity risk perception and health risk awareness, particularly among those of higher socioeconomic status.