مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Determinants of prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of high blood pressure

Abstract :

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates of hypertension (HT) and associated factors among individuals over 30 years old living in Balcova District of Izmir.Methods: Data from 12,742 individuals who participated the baseline study of Heart of Balcova Project during 2007-2009 was evaluated. HT was defined as mean blood pressure ≥140/90mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the determinants of prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of high blood pressure.Results: The overall prevalence of HT was 39,5% in male, 41.6% in female and 40,9% in total. Among participants with HT, 73.3% were aware of it. Among participants aware of HT 90.9% were treated, 49.6% of those treated were controlled (BP 140/90 mmHg). HT presence was associated with increasing age, female gender, poor self assessed health, physical inactivity, high waist circumference, diagnosis of coronary heart disease(CHD), diabetes or hyperlipidemia, family history of CHD. Awareness of HT was positively associated with increasing age, male gender, CHD, stroke, DM, hyperlipidemia, and history of CHD. Awareness was lower among individuals who added salt without tasting the meal. HT control was significantly higher among men while it decreased with increasing age.Conclusion: In this study awareness, treatment and control rates for HT were higher compared to other studies. While female gender, presence of chronic diseases and family history of CHD increased awareness and control, male gender and obesity had negative impact on control rates. The reasons behind low control rates despite high awareness should be explored in further studies.