Issues in health education: epidemiology and prevention of hypertension in Switzerland.

Health education issues in high blood pressure concern concepts and actions for prevention, early detection, and long-term control. Data from Switzerland demonstrate both the need and the potential of such programs. The prevalence of hypertension among adults is 11.6%. Roughly only 50% of hypertensives are aware of their condition, and health knowledge is low. However, within an 8-year period, the frequency of blood pressure measurements in the population doubled: 71% of adults in Switzerland had had such an examination within the previous 12 months (1982). In addition, data from a Swiss health survey show avenues for future action. Whereas for the general population health information and easy access to services ("enabling factors") are important, for hypertensive patients, factors such as health knowledge and attitudes and the presence of a supporting partner ("predisposing factors") are of additional significance.