Common dietary patterns and their effects on blood pressure control among hypertensive clients at Mukono General Hospital. A cross-sectional analytical study.

JOANITA BAYIGA; Gordon  Kibirige; Patrick  Sentongo

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2184

Authors

Joanita Bayiga Uganda Christian University
Gordon Kibirige Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences
Patrick Sentongo Mukono General Hospital.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2184

Keywords:

Hypertension, dietary patterns, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, blood pressure control, Mukono General Hospital

Abstract

Background

The DASH diet is characterized by high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, reduced salt, legumes, and nuts. This study investigates common dietary patterns and their effect on hypertension control among clients at Mukono General Hospital.

Methodology

A cross-sectional analytical design was employed. A sample of 101 hypertensive outpatients aged 18-75 years was selected using systematic random sampling from the NCD clinic in June 2025. Primary data were collected via researcher-administered structured questionnaires, including a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary patterns and a digital sphygmomanometer for blood pressure (BP) measurements (average of two readings taken. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with descriptive statistics for dietary patterns, chi-square tests for bivariate associations, and binary logistic regression for adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at p<0.05 significance.

Results:

Out of the 101 participants, 72 (80%) were female, and 18 (20%) were male. The DASH diet was the most commonly followed dietary pattern among participants (75.6%, 95% CI: 66.7-84.4), followed by the detox diet (62.2%, 95% CI: 52.2-72.2). (42.2%, 95% CI: 32.0-52.4) Of respondents followed the Mediterranean diet, and the least commonly followed was the Ketogenic diet (8.9%, 95% CI: 3.0-14.8). Among the dietary patterns assessed, adherence to the DASH diet was associated with blood pressure control (p < 0.001). In contrast, no significant association was found between following Mediterranean (p= 0.818), detox (0.152), and Ketogenic (p=0.065). Participants who adhered to the DASH diet were less likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure compared to the non-adherents (AOR=0.084, P=0.001).

Conclusion

The most commonly followed dietary pattern was the DASH diet.

Participants who adhered to the DASH diet were less likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure compared to the non-adherents.

Recommendation

Policymakers should support affordable access to DASH-compatible foods via subsidies and labeling regulations.

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