The study was entitled “risk factors associated with hypertension among adults attending outpatient clinic in Masaka regional referral hospital”. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2009), 13% of all deaths globally to high blood pressure making it an area of prime importance for public health in both developing and developed nations. Based on the objectives of examining the socio-demographic risk factors, establishing the individual risk factors as well as identifying the lifestyle risk factors associated with hypertension among patients attending OPD at Masaka Regional Referral hospital, the study aimed at determining the risk factors associated with hypertension among adults attending OPD in Masaka regional referral hospital. Existing literature for different authors was reviewed to identify disagreements and disagreements therein. This was a case control study on 282 participants. To obtain the required sample of respondents, techniques of consecutive sampling technique where patients who met the required selection criteria were chosen consecutively until the required number of respondents was obtained. The required information was obtained by administering an interview rate questionnaire. Thereafter, the data was edited, sorted, coded and tabulated using SPSS version 20 to derive frequency tables, graphs and percentages. The findings from the study indicated that age, employment status and monthly income were statistically significantly associated with the occurrence of hypertension among the respondents. Furthermore, the study revealed that family history, stress, chronic illnesses, obesity and diabetes were all statistically significant individual risk factors for hypertension. However, the study did not find a thyroid disease as a significant risk factor. Moreover, alcohol consumption as well as excessive weight gain were also found out to be the most cited life style risk factors for hypertension among patients. Based on the study findings, the researcher proposed that health workers should create awareness among communities about the risk factors for hypertension; government should regulate alcohol consumption, health-educating people on the importance of eating balanced diets, physical exercises and discourage living a sedentary lifestyle. Government through the ministry of health should ensure that health facilities are well equipped with well-trained health workers who are able to diagnose and treat hypertensive patients.

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