Healthy lifestyle knowledge and age at hypertension diagnosis: a primary health care based survey in Bangladesh

This study examined the relationship between knowledge of healthy lifestyles and the age of hypertension diagnosis among hypertensive individuals within Bangladeshi rural population. This cross-section study was conducted among hypertensive adults (18-80 years) in a rural population. We obtained data from 3600 adults with hypertension from 40 randomly selected community pharmacies. We gathered data on demographics, health knowledge, and measured vital signs, including hypertension diagnosis year. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify the lifestyle and knowledge factors about hypertension with the age of diagnosis of hypertension. The mean age of hypertension diagnosis was 45.84 years. The mean age of hypertension diagnosis of male participants was higher than female (48.1 vs 44.4 years). Our study found that males and individuals with primary education are more likely to receive a later hypertension diagnosis (odds ratio = 2.32; 95% confidence interval: 1.75-3.10 and odds ratio = 5.96; 95% confidence interval: 3.09-11.48 respectively) for those aged ≥65. The poorest and those lacking physical exercise faced higher odds of later diagnosis (odds ratio = 2.20; 95% confidence interval: 1.53-3.15 and odds ratio = 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.78-3.17 respectively). Conversely, a family history of hypertension reduces the odds (odds ratio = 0.38; 95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.55). Increased knowledge of healthy lifestyle factors and engagement with health-related media correlate with later diagnosis, highlighting the influence of education and awareness on hypertension detection age. Our study reveals that knowledge of a healthy lifestyle is associated with the age of hypertension diagnosis. Targeting specific age groups based on health education programs may reduce hypertension-related complications.