ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries. However, there is an insufficiency of scientific evidence on the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) at a community level in the study area. The aim of the study was exploring the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adults in Nekemte town, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 711 adults who were selected by the multistage sampling procedure. Height, weight, blood pressure and waist circumference were measured with standard procedures. Data were analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20, and multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the independent risk factors for hypertension. RESULT: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.9% among the adult population. Of them, only 52.7% know their status, and 22.4% were on antihypertensive medication. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among the older aged; AOR 5.85 (95% CI 1.74-20), Obese and over-weighted; (AOR 1.71 (95% CI 1.09-2.67)), Khat chewers in the past year; AOR 2.44 (95% CI 1.05-5.68), and with higher formal education (college and above); AOR 2.75 (95% CI 1.26-6.03) than their respective counterparts. Community-level prevention and treatment of hypertension should get due attention.