title: Distribution of blood pressures in Gemlik District, north-west Turkey.
abstract: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension among individuals over 30 years of age and to plan a follow-up programme for the same age group. A community-based sample of 1992 individuals (952 men and 1,040 women) was selected randomly. Out of the total study population, 1,388 (69.7%) individuals had normal blood pressure according to World Health Organisation criteria (systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg), and the rest (n = 604, 30.3%) had hypertension to varying degrees. Since 61 individuals with normal blood pressure were using antihypertensive medication, the overall hypertension prevalence was 33.4%. Among the study subjects with hypertension, 44.4% were aware of their condition, 37.7% were using medication and 9.2% had controlled hypertension. One out of five individuals (n = 399, 20.0%) had never had their blood pressure measured before. Females had a higher hypertension prevalence than males (36.7% and 29.7%, respectively). Hypertension prevalence increased with age and individuals with a body mass index > 25 were at greater risk. The present findings suggest that there is a need to implement an effective, community-based and low-cost management programme.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Necla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tugay Aytekin
authors.forename: Kayihan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pala
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Irgil
authors.forename: Nalan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akis
authors.forename: Hamdi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aytekin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents