Blood pressure prevalences and levels for a multicultural population in Auckland, New Zealand: results from the Diabetes, Heart and Health Survey 2002/2003.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate ethnic-specific raised blood pressure (RBP) prevalences, blood pressure levels, and associations of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the Auckland region.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of adults aged between 35-74 years in the Auckland region. There were 1006 Maori, 996 Pacific people (mostly of Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, or Cook Islands origin), and 2021 Others (mainly Europeans).


RESULTS
Approximately 1 in 3 Maori and Pacific people had RBP (defined arbitrarily as greater than and equal to 140/90 mmHg or on blood pressure-lowering treatment), compared to 1 in 5 Others. The prevalences of RBP (adjusted for age and gender) were: Maori 37%, Pacific people 38%, and Others 22%. Maori and Pacific people had higher average systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels than Others (adjusted for age and gender). This difference became non-significant when adjusted for body mass index (BMI). SBP was (on average) higher for: male gender, increased age, increased BMI, no tertiary education, high pulse rate, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, those on current blood pressure-lowering medication. SBP was (on average) lower for current cigarette smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
Average blood pressure levels and the prevalences of RBP were higher in Pacific people and Maori compared to Others. BMI was identified as the major modifiable factor.
Gentles
Dudley
D
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, Private Bag, University of Auckland, Auckland. dgen001@stat.auckland.ac.nz
Metcalf
Patricia
P
Dyall
Lorna
L
Scragg
Robert
R
Black
Peter
P
Schaaf
David
D
Sundborn
Gerhard
G
Jackson
Rod
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology