Gender Variations in Hypertension Prevalence and Associated Factors in Malaysia: National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension represents a worldwide public health challenge related to chronic illnesses. This study set out to examine gender-based variations in prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, which was a nationwide cross-sectional study employing a two-stage stratified random sampling approach. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP≥ 140 or diastolic BP≥ 90 mm Hg, told to have hypertension by medical personal previously. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension among adults in Malaysia was 30.0% (95% CI: 28.57, 31.50), men 30.3% (95% CI: 28.2, 32.5), and women 29.7% (95% CI: 28.0, 31.5). For both genders, increasing age, adults with higher BMI, other Bumiputras, unemployed and those with diabetes and high cholesterol had higher odds of hypertension. Among men, alcohol consumption showed higher odds [AOR: 1.31 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.68)], meanwhile, active smokers [AOR: 0.74 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.86)] and married men [AOR: 0.74 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.94)] showed lower odds of hypertension. Among women, Chinese [AOR: 0.62 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.77)], Indian [AOR: 0.65 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.86)], and tertiary education [AOR: 0.49 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.69)] showed lower odds and physically inactive women [AOR: 1.31 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.55)] showed higher odds of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Prevalence and the factors associated with hypertension differ between the two genders. Intervention strategies related to hypertension should consider the gender differences particularly among young men and elderly women.