Hypertension prevalence among adults living in Bitlis city center and relationship with local nutrition factors

Aim: In the study the aim is to examine the hypertension frequency of adults in Bitlis city center, factors affecting this and other related factors. Material and Method: The target population of the cross-sectional research consists of people aged 30 and higher in Bitlis city center. Face to face interviews were performed with people incorporated to the sample between February 15th and April 15th 2015 time interval in order to collect data from the field. In statistical analysis chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: The age averages of the people under the scope of the research is 46.7±11.8(30-86) and 54% are male. Hypertension frequency was found to be 35.5%. The frequency in women is 40.8% while the frequency in men is 31%. 59.3% of the people with hypertension are aware of the situation. The blood pressure of 26.3% of the people who are aware of their situation is under control. Significant difference was determined between hypertension and consumption frequency of regional foods such as dried fish, regional cheese, brine fish and kurut (p<0.05). In logistic regression analysis significant relation was determined between hypertension and old age, women(OR=1.86), obesity≥30 (OR=1.55) and kurut frequent consumption(OR=1.85) (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the research the hypertension frequency was found to be 35.5%. This is close to many studies performed on similar age groups (30 and higher). The awareness of hypertension and its control ratio was found to be low. Significant relation was detected between hypertension and old age, female gender, BMI≥30 and frequent consumption of kurut which is a regional food. Key Words: Bitlis, Hypertension, Prevalence, Regional nutrition