Frequency of arterial hypertension and associated factors: Brazil, 2006.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the frequency of self-reported systemic arterial hypertension and associated factors.


METHODS
Study based on data provided by the system of Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL--Telephone-based surveillance of risk and protective factors for chronic diseases), collected in 2006 in Brazil's capitals and Federal District. The frequency of systemic arterial hypertension was estimated in 54,369 adults, stratified by sex, geographic region, sociodemographic and behavioral variables and self-reported morbidities. Crude odds ratios of hypertension were calculated, as well as odds ratios adjusted for the study's variables.


RESULTS
The frequency of self-reported hypertension was 21.6%. It was higher among women (24.4% versus 18.4%), lower in the North and Central-West regions and higher in the Southeast region. The frequency of hypertension increased with age, decreased with level of schooling, was higher among blacks and widowed subjects, and lower among singles. The chance of hypertension, adjusted for confounding variables, was higher in subjects with overweight, diabetes, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular events.


CONCLUSIONS
Around one fifth of the population reported suffering from systemic arterial hypertension. The high frequencies of modifiable risk factors indicate the population segments on which intervention should be targeted, aiming to prevent and control hypertension.
Ferreira
Sandra Roberta Gouvea
SR
Nutrition Department, School of Public Health, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. sandrafv@usp.br
Moura
Erly Catarina de
EC
Malta
Deborah Carvalho
DC
Sarno
Flávio
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult