Atrial Fibrillation among hypertensive patients attending regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Ugumba, Malecha M. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-06T12:16:05Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-06T12:16:05Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description | A dissertation submitted in (partial) fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine (internal medicine) at Kairuki university | |
| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide, contributing substantially to cardiovascular illness and death, especially among individuals with hypertension. It increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and early mortality, with its global prevalence on the rise. In sub-Saharan Africa, AF is emerging as a major public health issue, yet data on its prevalence and risk factors among hypertensive patients in Tanzania remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of AF among hypertensive adults attending regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out from March to May 2025 at Temeke and Amana Regional Referral Hospitals, involving 139 hypertensive adults aged 18 years and above selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, physical measurements, and 12-lead ECGs. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with atrial fibrillation, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The prevalence of AF among hypertensive patients was 14.39%. In the adjusted model, left ventricular hypertrophy (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.20–3.50; p = 0.009) and obesity (AOR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.03–1.43; p = 0.02) were identified as independent predictors of AF. Other socio-demographic variables (age, sex, education), behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol consumption), and comorbidities (diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure) were not statistically significant after adjustment. Conclusion: The findings highlight a substantial burden of AF among hypertensive patients in Tanzanian referral hospitals. Routine AF screening using electrocardiography, echocardiographic evaluation for structural heart disease, and integration of weight management strategies into hypertension care are recommended and ultimately improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes in this high-risk population. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Ugumba, Malecha M., 2025. Atrial Fibrillation among hypertensive patients attending regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Dissertation. Kairuki University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://kuir.ku.ac.tz:4000/handle/123456789/1518 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kairuki University | |
| dc.subject | Atrial Fibrillation | |
| dc.subject | hypertension | |
| dc.subject | Cardiovascular Disease | |
| dc.title | Atrial Fibrillation among hypertensive patients attending regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |