title: Prevalence of hypertension among women in rural Zimbabwe: a comparison of pregnant and non-pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) in rural Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  A blood pressure survey conducted in three socio-economic strata of rural Zimbabwe, communal lands, commercial farms and mining areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rural Zimbabwe, Mashonaland West Province.
  
  
  METHODS
  627 pregnant (> 20 weeks gestation) and 483 non pregnant (ages 16 to 45) women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of PIH.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PIH was defined in two ways: 1. A combination of > or = 2+ proteinuria and systolic and/or diastolic pressure > or = SD above the mean for all pregnant women (> or = 123/75 mmHg). 2. > or = 1+ proteinuria and blood pressure of 140 and/or 90 mmHg. Eight women met definition 1 and seven met definition 2, giving a prevalence of 0.8pc; 1.3pc and 3.2pc in communal lands, commercial farms and mines respectively. In non-pregnant women the prevalence of hypertension (> or = 160 and/or 95 mmHg) was 3.5pc; 5.4pc and 15.1pc in communal lands, commercial farms and mines respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PIH is rare in rural Zimbabwe. Hypertension among non-pregnant women of child bearing age is most common in mining communities which have many similarities to urban environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Sparks
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mufunda
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Musabayane
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Sparks
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahomed
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology