An audit of hypertensive care in general practice.

This mainly urban based study of hypertensive care in general practice consisted of 5,400 patients of these 287 individuals were diagnosed as being hypertensive, a practice prevalence of 5.31%. Among those between 30-80 years (2456 patients) there were 265 hypertensives, a prevalence of 10.8%. The overall male: female ration was 1:1.8. Hospitals were involved in the management of 53.9% of the hypertensives. The use of WHO criteria to make the diagnosis had increased from 38.6% to 59% over the past five years. The completence of history taking and relevant investigations was suboptimal, 78.9% of the hypertensives had their BP checked in the previous year. Management of hypertension is similar to other practices who have performed audits. There is room for improving standards in all clinical activities relating to hypertension.