Factors associated with inadequate blood pressure control among hypertensive individuals living in a Quilombola Community: a cross-setional study, Brazil, 2017-2018

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with the prevalence of inadequate blood pressure control among hypertensive residents of a Quilombola community in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study with the participation of residents of Quilombo do Barro Preto (Jequié, Bahia) aged 35 to 79 years. Blood pressure control was classified as inadequate for systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg. Medication adherence was assessed according to the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Using log-binomial regression, prevalence ratios (PR) adjusted for sex and age were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) to compare differences between the prevalence of inadequate blood pressure control among interest groups. Comparisons between means were based on Student's t-Tests and analysis of variance. RESULTS: Among the 300 participants, 71.7% were women, 49.3% self-identified as Black, 41.0% Brown, and 39.7% had incomplete elementary education. Systolic blood pressure was associated with age, with a higher average among people over 65 years of age, while the average diastolic blood pressure was higher among people up to 55 years of age. The prevalence of inadequate pressure control was 66.3% (95%CI 60.7; 71.7), being higher in people with type 2 diabetes (PR1.28; 95%CI 1.09; 1.51) and low adherence to medications (PR1.27; 95%CI 1.01; 1.59). CONCLUSIONS: The Quilombola population presents difficulties in controlling hypertension, with a high prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure, especially among people with type 2 diabetes and low adherence to drug treatment.