Prevalence and sociodemographic factors in a hypertensive population in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is one of the greatest problems of public health in Brazil. Its detection and early treatment should be a priority to reduce the morbimortality of the cardiovascular diseases.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of SAH and the sociodemographic factors in a population of hypertensive individuals from São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out in a stratified sample of 1,717 people, representative of the urban adult population from the city of São José do Rio Preto, between 2004 and 2005.


RESULTS
The sample consisted of 1,717 people, with 762 of them (25.2%) being characterized as hypertensive. The following results were observed: 54.6% were women; 78.4% were caucasian; 66.1% were illiterate or had not finished Elementary School; 63.9% were married, 40.9% belonged to social classes D and E; 37.9% were self-employed or wage earners.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of study on SAH in the city of São José do Rio Preto shows the need for early-onset continuous educational interventions.
Cesarino
Claudia B
CB
Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil. claudiacesarino@famerp.br
Cipullo
José Paulo
JP
Martin
José Fernando Vilela
JF
Ciorlia
Luiz Alberto
LA
Godoy
Maria Regina P de
MR
Cordeiro
José Antonio
JA
Rodrigues
Isabela C
IC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult