Assessing the risks of hypertension amongst West African immigrants in the United States

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States(US) and Worldwide, and hypertension (HTN) is the main contributing factor. HTN causes a systemic increase in mean arterial pressure, and it occurs in response to both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. HTN is called the “silent killer” due to the absence of obvious signs and symptoms. Increased HTN has been at epic proportions among African-born immigrants(ABI), and African Americans(AA) in the US.  Despite the prevalence of HTN among the ABI population, these group of immigrants are unrecognized and underrepresented because of one common racial identifier, AA. Although HTN can be managed, 60% of patients with HTN are not aware they have the condition.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to elucidate the association of length of stay in the US and prevalence of HTN among ABI population in the US.   

Methods: A secondary dataset was retrieved from the survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Health Institute Survey 2014 (n= 112053). We used descriptive and inferential statistics, binary logistic, and multiple regression analysis to quantitatively test the multiple variables and the hypotheses. 

Results: There are statistically significant associations between physical inactivity, food insecurity, and length of stay in the US by the ABI population and HTN.

Conclusion: Acculturation plays a very critical role in the development of HTN among ABI populations that reside in the US greater than 5 years. HTN is preventable and manageable by adopting positive life-changing behaviors.