title: [Prevalence of systemic hypertension and associated factors: a population-based study among women in the South of Brazil].
abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out among women 20 to 60 years of age living in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors. Census tract sampling was used, and the outcome was defined by the presence of arterial pressure >or= 140/90mmHg and/or use of anti-hypertensive drugs. Among 1,020 interviewed people, 267 (26.2%; 95%CI: 23.5-28.9) presented hypertension. Poisson regression showed a statistically significant association with age, skin color, marital status, family history, educational background, and nutritional status. The highest attributable fractions were observed among women with schooling <or=4 years (18.38%); obese women (33.86%); and overweight women (22.55%). The results were compared to other hypertension prevalence studies in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, and the results showed the need for inter-sector efforts, highlighting the possible contribution of increasing people's level of schooling. The study also showed the relevance of weight loss measures in the adult population.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Juvenal Soares
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dias-da-Costa
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Anselmo Olinto
authors.forename: Marcos Pascoal
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pattussi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tramontini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents