Epidemiological features regarding frequency of hypertension and awareness in adults in Aydin province

Epidemiological Features Regarding Frequency of Hypertension and Awareness in Adults in Aydın Province The study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension, awareness and the treatment rate, as well as the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of patients on hypertension in Aydın province and to compare the present results with those of the study conducted in 1995 in the same region. The hypothesis of the study is the presence of change in the last two decades in the prevalence of hypertension and patient awareness as well as the rate of patients with controlled disease. In this epidemiological cross-sectional field survey, a questionnaire was applied to 2547 subjects aged ≥18 years, who were selected by stratified sampling from 17 counties of Aydın province. The first section of the questionnaire inquired demographic information, life style, habits, occupation, chronic diseases, presence of known hypertension, and current medications of the participants, whereas the second section inquired the participants' knowledge, attitude, and behavior on hypertension. Blood pressure was measured. The prevalence of hypertension was 31.0%, which increased with age and increasing body mass index. The prevalence was higher in rural area, in those with low education level, in unemployed subjects, in those with family history of hypertension, and in nonsmokers. Advanced age, low education level, obesity, and smoking were the significant risk factors for hypertension. The rate of hypertension awareness was 67.6% and drug usage was 96.4%.The rate of regular drug usage among drug users was 88.9% and the rate of controlled blood pressure among regular drug users was 57.8%. Comparing with 20 years ago, the prevalence of hypertension was lowerwhereas the rates of patients who were aware of hypertension, those were using drugs, and those had controlledblood pressure were higher. In conclusion, considering overall results, we can say that enhancemet in the patient's awareness and knowledge on hypertension increase the disease control. Efficient measures need to be taken to prevent major risk factors for hypertension particularly smoking, obesity, and low education level. Keywords: Hypertension, prevalence, awareness, risk factors