Retiree awareness of levels of blood pressure and cholesterol.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the level of awareness of cholesterol and blood pressure in a retiree population; assess factors indicating a higher risk for lack of awareness.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was mailed to a random sample of 9.5% of the 7,400 retiree households served by an Army community hospital. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and t test for continuous data and chi-square for categorical data.


RESULTS
Response rate was 71.4%. Overall, 45.8 and 37.9% of the respondents have accurate knowledge of the levels of their blood pressure and cholesterol, respectively. For those with documented hypertension and hyperlipidemia, the correct awareness levels are 78.5 and 63.4%, respectively. The only sociodemographic factor associated with correct awareness is age with cholesterol knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
This population meets the objectives set by Healthy People 2000 for cholesterol awareness, but not for blood pressure. The overall levels of awareness compare favorably to results from other studied populations. Physicians are not using all opportunities to educate patients about modifiable risk factors.
Blount
B W
BW
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
Brown
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012179:Retirement
D002784:Cholesterol