Hypertension awareness, detection and treatment in a university community:results of a worksite screening

This study aimed to assess knowledge levels, explore the extent of undiagno sed hypertension, record previous screening activity and monitor the outcom es of previous hypertension treatment. To this end, information was collect ed from volunteer members of a university community, by means of a self-rep ort questionnaire, about their personal characteristics, knowledge and expe rience of hypertension and stroke, and previous blood pressure measurements . Tn addition, their current blood pressure was recorded. A total of 653 st aff and students completed the questionnaire and had their blood pressure m easured. Analysis revealed that 82% were normotensive (diastolic blood pres sure <90 mmHg). Hypertension was significantly associated with age, self-re ported excess weight P < 0.001) and marginally with self-reported non-healt hy eating (P = 0.06). Of the volunteers, 57% could not provide an accurate definition of a stroke. Knowledge levels were significantly and positively related to experience of stroke, healthy eating, not smoking and a recent b lood pressure check. Of the respondents, 30% stated that they had not had t heir blood pressure measured in the previous two years. 51% of known hypert ensives were not controlled. 68% of volunteers with diastolic blood pressur e > 89 mmHg were previously unaware of a potential hypertension problem. Hy pertension rates amongst the university volunteers are higher than those re cently recorded from a population sample. Scope exists for increasing knowl edge and awareness, and for raising both screening rates and treatment outc omes. Improvements in these areas are required if current public health tar gets for heart disease and stroke are to be achieved. Worksite screening pr ogrammes can contribute to this endeavour.