[Prevalence and sociocultural and economic aspects of hypertension in a health center of the northern area of Manaus].
OBJECTIVE
To verify the prevalence and the possible sociocultural and economic factors involved in high blood pressure (HBP), intending to contribute to the elaboration of public health programs.


METHODS
The blood pressure of 1,766 individuals, aging 13 years old or more, was measured by the auscultatory method, using a stethoscope and a sfigmomanometer. It was included in the HBP group, the individual presenting blood pressure above 140 x 90 mmHg in two measurements on different occasions. These individuals answered a form searching for sociocultural and economic aspects.


RESULTS
Among the individuals examined, 76 were considered to have HBP. There was an increase on the prevalence of HBP with an increase of age, being the greatest among the individuals aging 49 years or more. It was observed significant association between age and HBP (p < 0.05), but the same did not happen with sex or skin color. In most part of the individuals with HBP, it was observed low family income and low educational level. Half of the HBP patients were used to eat with salt and fat.


CONCLUSIONS
The educational level, economic status, and sociocultural habits of a person constitute factors that must be considered in the development of public health programs for control and reduction of the prevalence of HBP.
Cavalcante
J W
JW
Universidade do Amazonas/CNPq e Programa de Doenças Cardiovasculares da Secretária da Saúde/AM.
Daza
C M
CM
Pessoa Cavalcante
L
L
Pacheco
W S
WS
de Menezes
M G
MG
Melo
R
R
Gama
C G
CG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003151:Community Health Centers; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Prevalência e aspectos sócio-culturais e econômicos da hipertensão arterial em centro de saúde da zona norte de Manaus.