Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and associated factors in Southwest China

OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors of hypertension in Chongqing Province in Southwest China. METHODS: Multistage, stratified, random cluster sampling scheme was adopted to recruit representative samples. All of the selected study participants completed a questionnaire and physical examinations. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the associated factors. RESULTS: Overall, 14 420 study participants (men = 7186) above 18 years were enrolled. The overall hypertension prevalence was 23.9%, with rural residents having a higher prevalence than urban residents (26.0 vs. 21.6%, P < 0.001). The awareness, treatment, control, and control among treated patients were 44.1, 36.6, 8.5, and 23.3%, respectively. Elderly women inhabiting urban areas had better awareness and treatment. The urban and rural areas differed in control (12.9 vs. 5.1%, P < 0.001). Age, sex, alcohol consumption, family history of hypertension, overweight/obesity, visceral adipose index, and body fat percentage were identified as risk factors for hypertension in both areas. Education levels, smoking, and daily salt intake were correlated with hypertension only among rural residents, and central obesity was correlated with hypertension only among urban residents. Sex, rurality, age, education level, alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, central obesity, visceral adipose index, and body fat percentage were identified as associated factors of awareness, treatment, and control. CONCLUSION: During the past decade, there is an increasing prevalence of hypertension in the general population in Chongqing Province. The levels of awareness, treatment, and control have improved, but remain extremely low. More aggressive strategies should thus be adopted.