OBJECTIVE

Little is known about the prevalence of hypertension in Bai Ku Yao, an isolated subgroup of the Yao minority in China. The aim of this study was to compare the difference in the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors between the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of hypertension in 1170 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 1173 participants of Han Chinese aged 15-89 was conducted by a stratified randomized cluster sampling. Information on diet and lifestyle was collected with standardized questionnaires. Blood pressure, serum lipids and several anthropometric parameters were obtained in all subjects.

RESULTS

Systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure levels and hypertension prevalence (10.85% vs 16.45%, p<0.001) were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han. Hypertension was positively correlated with male, age, physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference, total energy, total fat and sodium intakes, and negatively associated with education level and total dietary fibre intake in both ethnic groups (p<0.05-0.001). Hypertension was also positively associated with alcohol consumption in Han. The rates of awareness, treatment and control were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han (p<0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

The difference in the hypertension prevalence between the two ethnic groups might result from different diet, lifestyle, physical activity level, sodium intake and genetic factors.