Effect of socio-demographic factors and obesity on blood pressure among adults based on health status in Gaza, Palestine

Aims: To identify risk factors of elevated blood pressure due to differences in socio-demographic factors, obesity, and health status. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 482 participants were chosen from Primary Healthcare Centers in Gaza City, Palestine, based on objective criteria. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) showed significant differences according to different educational, menopausal, obesity, and health statuses, but no significant differences due to sex, marital status, and family size. Correlations of SBP with age, waist circumference, and weight were significant at P = 0.001 (rs = 0.444, rs = 0.434, and rs = 0.323, respectively). Correlations of DBP with age, waist circumference, and weight were also significant at P = 0.001 (rs = 0.170, rs = 0.374, and rs = 0.362, respectively). A total of 169 subjects out of 482 have SBP ≥130 mmHg and DBP ≥85 mmHg. By the multivariate logistic regression model, the odds ratio (OR) for obesity equaled 2.768 (95% CI: 1.183 to 6.475, P = 0.019), OR for having a mother with one or more chronic diseases equaled 1.886 (95% CI: 1.185 to 3.003, P = 0.007), and OR for a medium-sized family (6–10 members) equaled 0.611 (95% CI: 0.376 to 0.994, P = 0.013). Conclusion: Blood pressure increased by elevated body mass index and waist circumference; participants who have a mother with hypertension and/or diabetes are most likely to have higher blood pressure. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.