title: [Non-pharmacological management of hypertension in Southern Brazil].
abstract: A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out among individuals aged 20 to 69 years in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The objective was to analyze characteristics of hypertensive patients in relation to management of arterial hypertension. Among the 1,968 interviewees, 380 were hypertensive (19.3%), and 44.1% of these always consulted the same physician. Of the entire sample, 85.5% were sedentary, 48.2% showed excessive fat consumption, and 47.4% smoked. Most physicians recommend the following: lowering salt consumption (98.4%), cessation of alcohol consumption (93.7%), for losing weight, diet and consumption of low-fat food (88.2%), smoking cessation (73.2%), and physical activity (68.9%). The clinical management was classified as inadequate in 284 individuals (74.7%). Increased probability of adequate management was found among: women, individuals > 50 years, upper and middle-class patients, non-smokers, and patients with diabetes mellitus. Some findings showed positive aspects, but differences according to socioeconomic status evidenced lack of equity in care.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Giovani
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sturmer
authors.forename: Juvenal Soares
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dias-da-Costa
authors.forename: Maria Teresa Anselmo
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Olinto
authors.forename: Ana Maria Baptista
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Denise Petrucci
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Macedo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors