Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors of hypertension among adults: a cross-sectional study in Iran

• Main Authors: Maryam Eghbali, Alireza Khosravi, Awat Feizi, Asieh Mansouri, Behzad Mahaki, Nizal Sarrafzadegan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society of Epidemiology 2018-05-01
• Series: Epidemiology and Health
• Subjects: Blood pressure; Epidemiology; Hypertension; Chronic diseases; Risk factors; Iran
• Online Access: http://www.e-epih.org/upload/pdf/epih-40-e2018020.pdf

OBJECTIVES Hypertension (HTN) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Considering the importance of this disease for public health, this study was designed in order to determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors of HTN in the Iranian adult population. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,107 residents of Isfahan, Iran. Samples were selected through multi-stage random cluster sampling in 2015-2016. The outcome variable was HTN, determined by measuring blood pressure in the right arm via a digital arm blood pressure monitor. Awareness, treatment, and control of HTN were assessed by a validated and reliable researcher-developed questionnaire. Other demographic and clinical variables were assessed via a demographic questionnaire. RESULTS The overall prevalence of HTN was 17.3% (18.9 and 15.5% in men and women, respectively). The prevalence of HTN increased in both genders with age. The prevalence of awareness of HTN among people with HTN was 69.2%, of whom 92.4 and 59.9% were taking medication for HTN and had controlled HTN, respectively. Logistic regression identified age, body mass index, having diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and a positive family history of HTN as determinants of awareness of HTN. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that HTN was highly prevalent in the community, especially in men and in middle-aged and older adults. Approximately 30.8% of patients were unaware of their disease, and there was less awareness among younger adults. Despite the high frequency of taking medication to treat HTN, it was uncontrolled in more than 40.1% of patients. Health policy-makers should therefore consider appropriate preventive and therapeutic strategies for these high-risk groups.