Hypertension prevalence in the city of Formiga, MG, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate hypertension prevalence and identify associated socioeconomic, demographic, and anthropometric variables.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with probability sampling.

TARGET POPULATION

people > or = 18 years of age living in the urban area of Formiga, Minas Gerais state, and registered with the Family Health Program (Programa Saúde da Família-PSF), which covers 94% of the population. Two hundred and eighty-five subjects (131 men and 154 women) were enrolled in the study. Criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension were the following: systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication. A standard questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic and demographic data, as well as information on alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity level.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of hypertension in the target population was estimated at 32.7% (95% CI): 28.2-37.2), 31.7% in men and 33.6% in women. Among subjects with prescribed antihypertensive drugs, 66% reported taking their medication regularly. Hypertension prevalence increased steadily with increasing age (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05-1.10) and was positively associated with waist circumference (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.49-6.22) and negatively associated with the level of physical activity (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.25-0.82).

CONCLUSION

Hypertension prevalence was very high in the adult population registered with the PSF in Formiga, representing a major public health problem. Intervention programs that boost physical activity, promote compliance with drug treatment, and focus on hypertensive subjects unaware of their condition are needed.