Aug 07 2012 |
more articles from
|
DHA announces results of survey that highlights the prevalence of hypertension among Dubai population.
One in 15 individuals in Dubai is diagnosed with hypertension (6.7%)
Among Emiratis, approximately 1 out of 6 individuals is diagnosed with hypertension.
The Dubai Health Authority announced today key statistical results revealing the prevalence of hypertension among the population of Dubai.
The results, which are part of the Dubai Household Health Survey, highlight the percentage of people in Dubai who have hypertension. The survey was based on interviews of 5,000 respondents in Dubai and was jointly conducted by the DHA and the Dubai Statistics Centre
Laila Al Jassmi, CEO of Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA said, "The results provides a detailed breakdown of the percentage of hypertensive people in the Emirate of Dubai, their age, gender, nationality, income bracket and other parameters that will eventually help us in formulating our public health policies and developing our awareness campaigns to target this audience base."
She said the DHA previously provided data on the percentage of the population that exercises in Dubai, percentage of smokers and the percentage of the population prone to developing cardiovascular diseases.
Amal Salim Al Halyan, Senior Research Specialist, Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA said: "Hypertension is known to trigger off diseases such as stroke and cardiovascular diseases so hypertensive people have to be very careful about their diet and lifestyle."
Al Halyan said that there is a clear link between lack of education and higher prevalence of hypertension.
She highlighted the key findings of the survey, which takes into account several parameters:
Key findings:
One 1 in 15 individuals in Dubai is diagnosed with hypertension (6.7%).
Gender difference between men (6.3%) and women (7.7%) is slight and not statistically significant.
Overall
There is a strong association between age and hypertension that is statistically significant. The prevalence of hypertension in the (40-59) age group is (12.1%) as compared to the highest prevalence in the 60+ age group (31%).
The prevalence of hypertension among UAE nationals (16.9%) is significantly higher than other nationalities. After Emiratis, it is "Other Arabs" Nationalities (9.14%), and the third highest population in Dubai to be hypertensive are Filipinos (6.24%).
There is a strong relationship between hypertension and education level: individuals with no formal education are more likely to be hypertensive (11.6%) as compared to individuals who have completed their graduation and post-graduation. (8.3%).
The prevalence of hypertension in individuals in the highest income group is (15.4%) as compared to those in the lowest income group (5.2%).
UAE Nationals in Dubai:
Among Emiratis, approximately 1 out of 6 of the population is diagnosed with hypertension.
There is a slight gender difference in the prevalence of hypertension which is not statistically significant. (16.3%) of UAE National males are reported to be diagnosed with hypertension as compared to (17.5%) of UAE National females.
There is a significant strong relationship between education and hypertension. Emirati individuals with no formal education are more hypertensive (45.6%) than Emirati individuals with graduate and post-graduate education (6.7%)
There is no statistical relationship between income and hypertension. UAE Nationals in the lowest income group have nearly similar prevalence of hypertension (21.5%) as compared to individuals in highest income group (20.9%)
-Ends-
About the DHA:
Initially, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was created in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
Therefore, the DHA was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry is the President of the Dubai Health Authority. His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid is the Director General of the DHA
The DHA mandate has two distinct functions: Sectoral Oversight - For the entire health sector in Dubai- public, private and free zone and Service Delivery at DHA facilities - Hospitals, Public Health Centres and Specialised Centres
About the Dubai Household Health Survey:
The Dubai Household Health Survey (DHHS) is the largest and most comprehensive survey of health and healthcare issues ever carried out in the Emirate of Dubai. The survey, which was conducted in 2009, provides a statistically accurate and representative picture of key health and healthcare variables across all of Dubai's diverse population including nationalities, ages and income groups. Surveyors randomly selected 5,000 households across the Emirate of Dubai - 2,500 of them UAE Nationals - and visited them personally to obtain detailed information on issues from household health expenditure and access to health services to exercise levels, dietary habits, lifestyle diseases and use of medicines. The survey - which had a response rate of 98 percent - also included questions on injuries, mental health and physical capabilities and a detailed module on people's use of and satisfaction with public and private health services in the Emirate. The Survey was designed and led by DHA's Policy and Strategy Department - drawing on in-house expertise from senior staff with experience at the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the Population Council - and was implemented in close collaboration with the Dubai Statistics Center. The design and methodology of the survey were adapted from those used in the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Surveys (LSMS), the World Health Organization's World Health Surveys (WHS) and the US Centers for Disease Control's National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS)
© Press Release 2012
© Copyright Zawya. All Rights Reserved.
Post Your Comment