Implications of the dissemination of healthy lifestyle advice for Afghan adults without histories of hypertension diagnosis or treatment

Iftikhar HALIMZAI; Keiko NAKAMURA; Kaoruko SEINO; Ayano MIYASHITA; Shafiqullah HEMAT; Sharifullah ALEMI; Sayed Ataullah SAEEDZAI

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Implications of the dissemination of healthy lifestyle advice for Afghan adults without histories of hypertension diagnosis or treatment

VernacularTitle:Implications of the dissemination of healthy lifestyle advice for Afghan adults without histories of hypertension diagnosis or treatment
Author: Iftikhar HALIMZAI ¹ ; Keiko NAKAMURA ¹ ; Kaoruko SEINO ¹ ; Ayano MIYASHITA ² ; Shafiqullah HEMAT ¹ ; Sharifullah ALEMI ¹ ; Sayed Ataullah SAEEDZAI ¹
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1. Department of Global Health Entreprenership, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences,Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan
2. National Institute of Public Health, Japan
Keywords: high blood pressure; healthy lifestyle advice; healthcare providers
From:Journal of Rural Medicine 2025;20(2):102-111
CountryJapan
Language:en
Abstract: Objectives: This study explored the relationship between receiving healthy lifestyle advice from healthcare providers and hypertension among undiagnosed individuals in Afghanistan, defined as adults with no previous hypertension diagnosis or treatment history.Materials and Methods: Data were extracted from the 2018–19 Afghanistan National Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors Survey, comprising 2,838 participants. Outcomes included hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg) and elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure 120–129 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <80 mmHg). Bivariate and multivariable multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associated factors.Results: Among the 2,838 participants, 1,344 (47.4%) had hypertension and 344 (12.1%) had elevated blood pressure. Most participants were aged <40 years (63.8%), male (55.8%), and ever-married (80.2%). Multivariable analysis revealed that not receiving healthy lifestyle advice was significantly associated with hypertension (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR]=1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.47) and elevated blood pressure (aRRR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.08–1.81). Sociodemographic and behavioral factors such as age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, fruit consumption, physical activity, and excess weight were significantly associated with hypertension, whereas only sex and excess weight were significantly associated with elevated blood pressure.Conclusion: Our findings underscore the association between receiving healthy lifestyle advice from healthcare providers and a lower prevalence of hypertension among undiagnosed Afghan adults. Accordingly, healthcare providers should recommend lifestyle changes to help manage hypertension among adults.