The prevalence and determinants of uncontrolled blood pressure among older adults living with HIV at Newlands Clinic in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study (2022-2025)
1
Clinic, Newlands Clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A52
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Older people living with HIV (OPLHIV) often experience a complex interplay of biological ageing, long-term antiretroviral therapy exposure, psychosocial stressors, and multimorbidity, which may compromise blood pressure (BP) control. We report the prevalence and associated factors for poor BP control among older adults ≥65 years attending an integrated geriatric HIV clinic at Newlands Clinic, Zimbabwe.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using clinical data from OPLHIV (2022-2025). BP control was defined using average of three readings with uncontrolled BP defined as systolic blood pressure >150 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure >90mmHg based on the Joint National Committee (JNC) 8 Guidelines. Body mass index (BMI) was classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were diagnosed following clinical guidelines (fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or HbA1c ≥6.5 % and eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with uncontrolled BP.
RESULTS:
A total of 180 participants were included in the analysis with a median age of 72 years (IQR 69.5–75.0), 70% were female, and 92% were virally suppressed. Comorbidities: 82% had hypertension, 20% had DM, and 54% had CKD. Alcohol consumption was reported in 8.9%, and 77% reported adequate caregiver support. BMI distribution was 39% normal, 58% overweight/obese, and 3% underweight. Overall prevalence of uncontrolled BP was 17.2% (95%CI:12.2-23.7). Caregiver support was associated with lower odds of uncontrolled BP (aOR=0.55;95%CI:0.23–1.34) and having either DM or CKD (aOR=1.61;95%CI:0.70–3.98) showed higher odds of uncontrolled BP but were not statistically significant. Alcohol use, overweight/obese BMI, and viral load suppression were not associated with BP control.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the high prevalence of hypertension among OPLHIV, most achieved adequate BP control. Comprehensive management of hypertension plays a key role in the integrated care of OPLHIV.
Older people living with HIV (OPLHIV) often experience a complex interplay of biological ageing, long-term antiretroviral therapy exposure, psychosocial stressors, and multimorbidity, which may compromise blood pressure (BP) control. We report the prevalence and associated factors for poor BP control among older adults ≥65 years attending an integrated geriatric HIV clinic at Newlands Clinic, Zimbabwe.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using clinical data from OPLHIV (2022-2025). BP control was defined using average of three readings with uncontrolled BP defined as systolic blood pressure >150 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure >90mmHg based on the Joint National Committee (JNC) 8 Guidelines. Body mass index (BMI) was classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were diagnosed following clinical guidelines (fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or HbA1c ≥6.5 % and eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with uncontrolled BP.
RESULTS:
A total of 180 participants were included in the analysis with a median age of 72 years (IQR 69.5–75.0), 70% were female, and 92% were virally suppressed. Comorbidities: 82% had hypertension, 20% had DM, and 54% had CKD. Alcohol consumption was reported in 8.9%, and 77% reported adequate caregiver support. BMI distribution was 39% normal, 58% overweight/obese, and 3% underweight. Overall prevalence of uncontrolled BP was 17.2% (95%CI:12.2-23.7). Caregiver support was associated with lower odds of uncontrolled BP (aOR=0.55;95%CI:0.23–1.34) and having either DM or CKD (aOR=1.61;95%CI:0.70–3.98) showed higher odds of uncontrolled BP but were not statistically significant. Alcohol use, overweight/obese BMI, and viral load suppression were not associated with BP control.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the high prevalence of hypertension among OPLHIV, most achieved adequate BP control. Comprehensive management of hypertension plays a key role in the integrated care of OPLHIV.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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