Association between Education Level and Hypertension in Korean Adults Over 30 Years Old: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019

Background: Relationships between socioeconomic status and hypertension and between education level and cardiovascular disease have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between education level and the prevalence of hypertension in Korea. Methods: This study examined original data of the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019). A total of 4,531 adults older than 30 years of age were included. A multi-sample logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the association between education level and hypertension. The net effect of education level on the prevalence of hypertension was analyzed by the adjustment for sex, age, family history of hypertension, drinking, stress, smoking, obesity, and sodium intake. Results: There was a significant correlation between education level and hypertension prevalence. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in middle school graduates or less and high school graduates than in university graduates (59.4%, 29.8%, and 18.8%, respectively; P<0.001). The OR for hypertension was higher among middle school graduates (OR, 2.374; 95% CI, 1.853-3.041) and high school graduates (OR, 1.266; 95% CI, 1.009-1.587) than among university graduates.