Prevalence of and risk factors for hypertension in a rural area of the Philippines

This study reports on a community health survey conducted among greater tha n or equal to 30 year old rural residents of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, Phil ippines, to serve as a basis for tailoring health programs for hypertension in the community. The focus of the analyst's is the assessment of the prev alence of and risk factors for hypertension. A cluster survey was conducted among 336 residents in May 1998. Sixty clusters were drawn from areas comp rising the town using probability proportionate to size sampling technique. Seven households were visited per cluster and one respondent was randomly chosen for interview and measurement of blood pressure, height and weight i ll each household. Eighty-four percent of eligible respondents participated . Hypertension prevalence was 23%. Only 42% had been diagnosed with hyperte nsion (i.e., had been told and prescribed anti-hypertensive medication by t heir physician). Forty-seven put-cent reported taking anti-hypertensive med ication (33 were prescribed by a physician while 4 were by self-medication) but only 17% of those identified as being hypertensive had it under contro l. Logistic regression showed that age greater than or equal to 50 (p = 0.0 00), family history of hypertension Il, = 0.001), and body mass index great er than or equal to 25 (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with hyper tension, This study documents the prevalence and predictors of hypertension in a previously understudied population. In the absence of fully implement ed programs to prevent and control hypertension, the current prevalence is only expected to increase, leading to substantial increases in morbidity an d mortality and health care cost.