title: High prevalence of hypertension among an ethnic group in Sudan: implications for prevention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hypertension is an emerging non-communicable disease in developing countries. Due to its silent nature and serious complications, active screening is essential in order to prevent complications. For instance, premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases could be prevented by the effective control of hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among Nuba ethnic group living in Atbara city, north Sudan and to identify the associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  All consenting 500 adults from Nuba tribe who live in El Wihda District, Atbara were included. Blood pressure (BP) and body mass index were measured. Standard interviewing procedures were used to record medical history, socio-demographic data, and lifestyle characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 500 participants, females were 364 (72.8%) and males were 136 (27.2%). The overall prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 49.4% (30.8% stage 1 hypertension and 18.6% stage 2 hypertension). In addition, 41% of the population was having prehypertension. The significant risk factors for high BP were: male sex, age above 45 years, overweight, illiteracy, and alcohol consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Undiagnosed high BP is very common among Nuba ethnic group; therefore, active screening and early management are recommended to prevent complications.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , Nile Valley University , Atbara , Sudan ;
authors.forename: Sufian K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Noor
authors.affiliation: b Federal Ministry of Health , Atbara , Sudan ;
authors.forename: Nada A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Elsugud
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , Nile Valley University , Atbara , Sudan ;
authors.forename: Sarra O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Bushara
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pathology , Nile Valley University , Atbara , Sudan ;
authors.forename: Wadie M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Elmadhoun
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medicine , Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , Milton Keynes , UK.
authors.forename: Mohamed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology*; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013397:Sudan / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Atbara; Hypertension; Nuba ethnicity; Sudan