Prevalence of hypertension in indigenous inhabitants of traditional communities from the north of Mexico

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors o f hypertension in adults indigenous to their traditional communities from t he north of Mexico. The study was based on a cross-sectional survey of inha bitants from Mexicaneros, Huicholes and Tepehuanos communities, which have not been influenced by a western lifestyle. A home interview and clinical e xamination that included blood pressure and anthropometric measurements of 217 men and 598 non-pregnant women aged between 35 to 64 years was carried out. Eligible indigenous subjects must have had no migratory history to par tially or totally urbanised areas. Target population represented approximat ely 100% of the indigenous people who have spent all their life time In the community of birthplace. Age and body mass index average was 48.9 +/- 12.9 years and 25.6 +/- 5.1 kg/m(2). Hypertension was identified in 56 individu als, 45 women and 11 men (prevalence 6.87%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5. 1-8.6). Forty-one percent of the hypertensive subjects were aware of being hypertensive. Hypertensive subjects had a higher intake of saturated fats t han non-hypertensives. Salt consumption was lower than 6 g per day in subje cts with and without hypertension. High intake of saturated fats (odds rati o 6.4, 95% CI 2.1-12.3; P < 0.01) was an independent predictor for hyperten sion. This study presents, for the first time, data concerning hypertension in adults who are indigenous to and living in traditional communities from Mexico. Prevalence of hypertension was lower than in the partly urbanised rural communities with a westernised lifestyle and the urban areas of Mexic o.