A perception of good health was negatively associated with hypertension control (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.86), whereas having a regular physician was positively associated (aOR 5.23; 95% CI 3.30-8.29).
Cross-Sectional (n=1,514)
No
Are sociocultural factors associated with hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in young to middle-aged hypertensive adults?
A perception of good health and lack of a regular physician are major factors associated with untreated and uncontrolled hypertension, particularly among black men.
Effect estimate: aOR 0.66 (95% CI 0.51-0.86)
BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) control rates in the United States remain lower in black than white persons, particularly before 65 years of age. Potential sociocultural factors have not been sufficiently addressed. METHODS: We analyzed data from structured interviews and blood pressure measurements in a population-based sample of 1514 hypertensive (1194 non-Hispanic black and 320 non-Hispanic white) subjects aged 18 to 64 years in Dallas County, Texas, from 2000 to 2002 to identify sociocultural factors associated with low rates of HTN control. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Awareness, treatment, and control of HTN were negatively associated with a common perception of good health, with aORs (95% CIs) of 0.37 (0.27-0.50) for awareness, 0.47 (0.36-0.62) for treatment, and 0.66 (0.51-0.86) for control. They were positively associated with having a regular physician, with aORs (95% CIs) of 3.81 (2.86-5.07) for awareness, 8.36 (5.95-11.74) for treatment, and 5.23 (3.30-8.29) for control. Among untreated hypertensive subjects, lack of perceived need for a regular physician was associated with perceived good health (aOR 95% CI, 2.2 1.2-4.0), male gender (aOR 95% CI, 2.4 1.4-4.1), and black race/ethnicity (aOR 95% CI, 2.1 1.0-4.4). The HTN outcomes were unrelated to perceived racism or lay beliefs about the causes, consequences, and treatment of HTN. CONCLUSIONS: Among young to middle-aged hypertensive subjects, a perception of good health and the lack of perceived need for a regular physician remain major factors associated with untreated and uncontrolled HTN at the community level-particularly among black men. These factors merit greater emphasis in professional education and public health programs on HTN.
Ronald G. Victor (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=1,514). Sociocultural factors (perception of good health, having a regular physician) was evaluated on Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51-0.86). A perception of good health was negatively associated with hypertension control (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.86), whereas having a regular physician was positively associated (aOR 5.23; 95% CI 3.30-8.29).