# Hypertension Prevalence among Hispanics/Latinos of Dominican Background: A Transnational Comparison of HCHS/SOL and ENPREFAR-HAS-17

## TL;DR

This study compares hypertension rates and risk factors among Dominicans in the US and Dominican Republic, finding higher prevalence in the US and similar risk factors like obesity and diabetes.

## Contribution

The study provides a transnational comparison of hypertension prevalence and risk factors among Dominicans in the US and DR, highlighting the role of social and cultural factors.

## Key findings

- Hypertension prevalence was higher in US Dominicans (30.5%) compared to DR Dominicans (26.9%).
- Diabetes and obesity were strongly associated with hypertension in both populations.
- Physical activity levels differed between the two groups, with lower activity among US Dominicans.

## Abstract

Hispanics/Latinos of Dominican background living in United States (US) have the highest hypertension prevalence compared with other Hispanic/Latino persons.

To understand cardiovascular health among Dominicans, we evaluated hypertension prevalence and risk factors among Dominicans from the US and Dominican Republic (DR) using data from Hispanic Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos [HCHS/SOL] and the Prevalencia de Hipertension Arterial y Factores de Riesgo Cardiovasculares en la República Dominicana al 2017 (ENPREFAR-HAS 17) study.

Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, self-reported hypertension, or antihypertensive use. Exposures included sociodemographic/socioeconomic, clinical, and lifestyle/behavioral characteristics. Weighted generalized linear models were used to estimate associations between study characteristics and hypertension prevalence (PR = prevalence ratio), age-and-sex adjusted. HCHS/SOL (n = 1,473, US Dominicans; mean age 41 years, 60.4% female) was analyzed with survey procedures, while ENPREFAR-HAS 17 (n = 2,015 DR Dominicans; mean age 40 years, 50.3% female) was analyzed with statistical analyses for simple random sampling.

Hypertension prevalence was 30.5% and 26.9% for DR and US Dominicans, respectively. Hypertension control was low in both cohorts (36.0% DR, 35.0% US). Alcohol use among DR Dominicans was inversely associated with hypertension prevalence (PRDR = 0.8) with no association among US Dominicans. In both settings, diabetes (PRDR = 1.4; PRUS = 1.4) and obesity (PRDR = 1.8; PRUS = 2.0) were associated with greater hypertension prevalence in Hispanics/Latinos of Dominican background. Physical activity was lower among US Dominicans (PR = 0.80) but higher among DR Dominicans (PR = 1.16); all p < 0.05.

Variations in social, lifestyle/behavioral, and clinical characteristics associated with hypertension among Dominicans in the US and DR were identified, suggesting that social context and cultural factors matter among immigrant populations.