[Prevalence of hypertension in Guinean rural areas].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and awareness of HTA in Guinean rural populations with respect to age and gender.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey in rural Guinea: Köpèrè-Döfili (400 inhabitants) and Töbölön (900 inhabitants).


METHODS
188 subjects (81 in Köpèrè-Döfili and 107 in Töbölön), 15 years and older were visited in their homes between November 2000 and April 2001.


METHODS
The blood pressures were measured with an electronic tensiometer "Philips HF305". Awareness of HTA and risk factors were determined by interviews. HTA was defined as mean SBP/DBP = 140/90 mmHg.


RESULTS
Overall, 69% (56/81) in Köpèrè-Döfili and 27% (29/107) in Töbölön were hypertensive. Among these, only 2 (Köpèrè) and 6 patients (Töbölön) were aware of their condition. HTA was strongly gender dependent in Köpèrè where 98% (44/45) of the males were concerned. In Köpèrè-Döfili, the combined systolo-diastolic hypertension (SDH) was predominant (80%; 45/56) and was associated to the male gender (80%; 36/45). In the hypertensive population of Töbölön, the isolated PAD (DH) was mainly associated with the female group (47%, 8/17). The grade III HTA (PAS/PAD > or = 180/110 mmHg) concerned both gender (41%, 18/44 for males; 42%, 5/12 for females) in Köpèrè-Döfili and mainly the female group in Töbölön (29%, 5/17). Smoking was the most frequently associated risk factor in the studied population of Köpèrè-Döfili (70%) and Töbölön (45%). The smokers were predominantly female in Köpèrè-Döfili (89%, 32/36) or male in Töbölön (51%, 24/47). Among the smokers, the hypertensive individuals were 96% (24/25) of the males and 38% (12/32) of the females in Köpèrè, 29% (7/24) of the males and 38% (9/24) of the females in Töbölön.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension is highly prevalent in two Guinean rural localities where less than 5% of the studied population were aware of their conditions, suggesting the nationwide demand for preventing and controlling HTA in Guinea.
N'Gouin-Claih
A P
AP
Département de pharmacie, faculté de médecine-pharmacie-odontostomatologie, Université de Conakry, Guinée.
Donzo
M
M
Barry
A B
AB
Diallo
A
A
Kabiné
O
O
Barry
R
R
Abdoulaye
K
K
Sylla
C
C
Magassouba
F B
FB
Baldé
A M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016701:Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects