Hypertension among attendants of primary health care centers in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of the present work were to determine the prevalence of hypertension among attendants of primary health care centers in Al-Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also to investigate sociodemographic associates, and assess awareness among hypertensives.


METHODS
Through cluster sampling 30 primary health care centers were selected. Forty attendants were chosen randomly from each center. A questionnaire inquiring sociodemographic characteristics and awareness was completed by interview with each participant. Using standardized methods the blood pressure, height and weight were measured.


RESULTS
The study sample amounted to 1114 persons, 338 (30%) were hypertensives (blood pressure >140/90), 24% stage 1, 4% stage 2 and 2.5% stage 3. The prevalence increased with age. It was higher in males (33%), single persons (44%), illiterate (33%), merchants (45%) and obese persons (35%). Age above 40 years, illiteracy, overweight and obesity were independently associated with hypertension with statistically significant value. Less than one 4th (23%) of hypertensives were aware of their hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension is a major public health problem. A routine measurement of blood pressure of all attendants of primary health care centers with periodic examination of those aged more than 40 years particularly overweight and obese persons should be implemented.
Kalantan
K A
KA
Department of Family & Community Medicine (34), College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. kalantank@yahoo.com
Mohamed
A G
AG
Al-Taweel
A A
AA
Abdul Ghani
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors