Association of relationship satisfaction with blood pressure: a cross-sectional study of older adults in rural Burkina Faso.

Journal: BMJ open

Volume: 14

Issue: 11

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK. Centre de Recherche en Sante de Nouna, Nouna, Boucle du Mouhoun, Burkina Faso. Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany melanie.fischer@uni-marburg.de.

Abstract summary 

The objective of this study is to examine the association between relationship satisfaction and blood pressure (BP) in a low-income setting and to screen for gender moderation in this context. Research conducted in high-income settings suggests that relationship satisfaction is associated with better physical and mental health outcomes.A cross-sectional study design was employed, using both questionnaire and physical measurement data. Multiple linear regression models were calculated for systolic and diastolic BP and adjusted for age, gender, demographics/socioeconomics and other health-related variables. Gender moderation was tested using interaction terms in multivariable analyses.A household survey was conducted in 2018 in rural northwestern Burkina Faso.Final analysis included 2114 participants aged over 40 who were not pregnant, reported being in a partnership and had valid BP readings.Systolic and diastolic BP levels.A significant positive association existed between relationship satisfaction (Couples Satisfaction Index-4 score) and systolic BP (B=0.23, 95% CI (0.02 to 0.45), p=0.03) when controlling for demographics/socioeconomics. Nevertheless, this relationship lost statistical significance when additional adjustments were made for health-related variables (B=0.21, 95% CI (-0.01 to 0.42), p=0.06). There was no significant association of relationship satisfaction and diastolic BP and no evidence of gender moderation.In contrast to many higher-income settings, we found a positive association between relationship satisfaction and systolic BP in very low-income rural Burkina Faso. Our results add to the evidence regarding the contextual nature of the association between relationship satisfaction and health, as high relationship satisfaction may not act as a health promotor in this socioeconomic context.

Authors & Co-authors:  Jaspert Felicitas Maria FM Harling Guy G Sie Ali A Bountogo Mamadou M Bärnighausen Till T Ditzen Beate B Fischer Melanie Sandy MS

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089374
SSN : 2044-6055
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Aged;Blood Pressure;Cardiovascular Disease;Cross-Sectional Studies;PUBLIC HEALTH;Social Support
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Burkina faso
Publication Country
England