Sunday, April 22, 2018

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Nepal: data from nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background
Previous studies in Nepal noted an alarming increase in prevalence of hypertension. However, these studies were geographically sparse and coverage of population, mostly limited to single site. The current study fills this gap by examining the current status of prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension, using recently collected population-based data.

Methods
We used the Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2016 data. Sample selection was based on stratified two-stage cluster sampling in rural areas and three stages in urban areas. Blood pressure was measured in all women and men aged 15 and above.

Results
A total of 13 598 participants: 5593 men and 8005 women aged 15–69 had their blood pressures measured. Overall, 18% (95% CI 16.7–19.2) of the participants aged 15–69 years were hypertensive. Prevalence of hypertension was more among men (22%; 95% CI 21.1–23.5), aged 45–69 years (34%), with no formal education (22%), richest quintile (25%), formerly/ever married (32%), urban dwellers (19%), residents of Province 4 (24%), residents of hills (21%), and obese (41.6%). Among the total hypertensive individuals, only 38% were aware of their hypertensive status and 18% were taking antihypertensive medication. Only half of the hypertensive participants on treatment (52%) had their blood pressure under control.

Conclusion
This nationally representative survey data showed that the prevalence of hypertension is high in Nepal, whereas its awareness, treatment and control rates are low at entire population level.

doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001745

Effectiveness of interventions for reducing non-occupational sedentary behaviour in adults and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background
No systematic reviews of the effectiveness of interventions for reducing non-occupational sedentary behaviour are available. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of interventions for reducing non-occupational sedentary behaviour in adults and older adults.

Methods
An electronic search of nine databases was performed. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and cluster RCTs among adults testing the effectiveness of interventions aimed to reduce non-occupational sedentary behaviour were considered for inclusion. Two review authors independently screened studies for eligibility, completed data extraction and assessed the risk of bias.

Results
Nineteen studies that evaluated multicomponent lifestyle interventions, counselling or education, television (TV) control devices and workplace interventions were included. Evidence from the meta-analyses suggested that interventions can reduce leisure sitting time in adults in the medium term (−30 min/day; 95% CI −58 to –2), and TV viewing in the short term (−61 min/day; 95% CI −79 to –43) and medium term (−11 min/day; 95% CI −20 to –2). No significant pooled effects were found for transport sitting time, leisure-time computer use and longer term outcomes. No evidence was available on the effectiveness of interventions for reducing non-occupational sedentary time in older adults.

Conclusions
The findings of this systematic review suggest the interventions may be effective in reducing non-occupational sedentary behaviour in the short to medium term in adults. However, no significant effect was found on longer term outcomes. The quality of evidence was, however, low to very low. No evidence was available on the effectiveness of non-occupational interventions on reducing sedentary time in older adults. Further high-quality research with larger samples is warranted

Cite this article as: Shrestha N, Grgic J, Wiesner G, et al Effectiveness of interventions for reducing non-occupational sedentary behaviour in adults and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis Br J Sports Med Published Online First: 13 January 2018. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098270