Table 1

Baseline characteristics for the quantitative study

Variable (n, %)Total
(n=481)
Normotensive (n=332)Hypertensive
(n=149)
P value
Gender0.12
 Male123 (25.6%)78 (23.5%)45 (30.2%)
 Female358 (74.4%)254 (76.5%)104 (69.8%)
Age<0.01
 18–39 years172 (35.8%)152 (45.8%)20 (13.4%)
 40–59 years191 (39.7%)132 (39.8%)59 (39.6%)
 60+ years118 (24.5%)48 (14.5%)70 (47.0%)
Ethnicity0.40
 Chagga288 (59.9%)193 (58.1%)95 (63.7%)
 Pare66 (13.7%)51 (15.4%)15 (10.1%)
 Sambaa27 (5.6%)20 (6.0%)7 (4.7%)
 Other*100 (20.8%)68 (20.5%)32 (21.5%)
Education<0.01
 None31 (6.4%)11 (3.31%)20 (13.4%)
 Primary349 (72.6%)246 (74.1%)103 (69.1%)
 Secondary74 (15.4%)54 (16.3%)20 (13.4%)
 Postsecondary27 (5.6%)21 (6.3%)6 (4.03%)
Occupation<0.01
 Unemployed†74 (15.4%)55 (16.6%)19 (12.8%)
 Farmer/wage earner199 (41.4%)135 (40.7%)64 (43.0%)
 Small business/vendors158 (32.8%)121 (36.5%)37 (24.8%)
 Professional‡50 (10.4%)21 (6.3%)29 (19.5%)
Lifestyle practices
 Ongoing tobacco use50 (10.4%)34 (10.2%)16 (10.7%)0.87
 Ongoing alcohol use198 (41.2%)121 (36.4%)77 (51.7%)0.02
 Traditional medicine use272 (56.6%)196 (59.0%)76 (51.0%)0.10
Self-reported medical history
 Diabetes61 (12.7%)29 (8.7%)32 (21.5%)<0.01
 Hypertension134 (28.0%)62 (18.8%)72 (48.3%)<0.01
 Stroke8 (1.7%)2 (0.6%)6 (4.0%)0.01
 Heart disease§18 (3.7%)7 (2.1%)7 (4.7%)0.08
 Kidney disease14 (2.9%)10 (3.0%)4 (2.7%)0.84
  • *Other tribal ethnicities represented in our groups include Luguru, Kilindi, Kurya, Mziguwa, Mnyisanzu, Rangi, Jita, Nyambo, and Kaguru

  • †Includes housewives and students

  • ‡Professional includes any salaried position (eg, nurse, teacher, government employee, etc) and retired persons

  • §Heart Disease includes coronary disease, heart failure, or structural diseases