Using waist circumference as a predictor of hypertension in Manzese, Dar es Salaam: a community-based cross-sectional study, 2023 – BMC Public Health
Introduction It is estimated that 1.3 billion people in the world have hypertension and a large proportion of them are unaware. Waist circumference has emerged as Potential predictor of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) risk; however, fewer studies in Tanzania have evaluated its role in screening for CVD risk. This study aimed to determine the role of waist circumference in screening for hypertension, a major risk for CVD. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Manzese ward, Dar es Salaam, from August to September 2023. Adults who attended a screening campaign were systematically randomly sampled. Data were collected using WHO STEPwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance questionnaire. The relationship between waist circumference and hypertension was analyzed using a Modified Poisson regression model with robust standard errors. Results Among 561 participants screened, 70.4% were female, with a median age of 47 years (IQR: 34–58). The overall prevalen