Key result
Undiagnosed hypertension affects ~6% of pregnant women in Peru, concentrating modestly among wealthier populations.
Why the study?
The prevalence, socioeconomic inequities, and geographic variability of undiagnosed hypertension among pregnant women in Peru were not well characterized.
Cross-Sectional (n=5,243)
Yes
Effect estimate: Erreygers index 0.021 (95% CI 0.007-0.035)
Absolute Event Rate: 6.4% vs 3.8%
p-value: p=0.003
Undiagnosed hypertension affects approximately 5.6% of pregnant women in Peru, with a higher prevalence observed in wealthier and urban populations, highlighting the need for comprehensive prenatal blood pressure screening.
OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among pregnant women in Peru, assess socioeconomic inequities, and characterize departmental geographic variability during 2014-2024. METHODS We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study using the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) 2014-2024. The sample included 5243 pregnant women aged 15-49 years with valid blood pressure measurements and no prior hypertension diagnosis. Undiagnosed hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg among women without self-reported diagnosis. Weighted prevalences and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. Socioeconomic inequities were assessed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII), Relative Index of Inequality (RII), and Erreygers concentration index. Spatial autocorrelation was assessed using Moran's I. RESULTS The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 5.6% (95% CI: 4.4-6.7). Prevalence was higher in urban than rural areas (6.1% vs 4.2%) and in the richest versus poorest quintile (6.4% vs 3.8%), although these contrasts were imprecise. The SII was 3.36 percentage points (95% CI: -0.72 to 7.44), the RII was 1.83 (95% CI: 0.92-3.64), and the Erreygers index was 0.021 (95% CI: 0.007-0.035; p = 0.003), indicating a small pro-rich concentration. Moran's I was positive and statistically significant after correction to 25 ENDES spatial units (I = 0.294; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Undiagnosed hypertension affected approximately one in eighteen pregnant women in Peru. Findings suggest modest pro-rich concentration and significant departmental spatial autocorrelation.
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Vera-Ponce et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Undiagnosed hypertension in pregnancy (n=5,243). Highest wealth quintile vs. Lowest wealth quintile was evaluated on Undiagnosed hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 140 or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) (Erreygers index 0.021, 95% CI 0.007-0.035, p=0.003). The overall prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among pregnant women in Peru was 5.6%, showing significant spatial autocorrelation and a modest pro-rich concentration (Erreygers index 0.021; P=0.003).
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