چكيده لاتين :
Background: The aim was to investigate the distribution of blood pressure (BP) and evaluate some of the risk factors connected
to hypertension. This study was deemed important and relevant due to the increasing importance of hypertension and
cardiovascular diseases.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 4,446 women aged 40 and over who had presented themselves
with any number and form of health reasons to any of the 19 primary health care (PHC) centers in a district of western Turkey
between February 1st and March 31st, 2006. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) was used for
BP measurements and classifications. We performed Chi Square (x2) test, variance (ANOVA) and Logistic Regression
Analysis with the statistical importance of P. 0.05.
Results: The respondentsپf BPs showed an increase with age (P< 0.001, for each one). 56.7% of the study group had high
BP. An advanced age (P< 0.001), obesity (P< 0.001), family history (P< 0.01), smoking (P< 0.01), hypercholesterolemia
(P< 0.01), and not having health insurance (P< 0.01) were all deemed important risk factors for hypertension (P< 0.001).
6.6% of women had not had their BP previously measured. 24.5% of whose BP was high were not aware of their high BPs.
Conclusion: The number of the respondents at risk to hypertension was high and many people reported that they were unaware
of hypertension and its risk factors. This shortfall in information and knowledge needs to be addressed by health education
programs such as BP screening studies and periodical examinations targeting those at higher risk.
