title: Epidemiology of hypertension in Serbia: results of a National Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the prevalence of high blood pressure and the level of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a Serbian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of an adult population was carried out across Serbia in 2006. The study involved 14 204 adults aged 20 years or older. Interviews and measurements of blood pressure were performed at participants' homes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 47% of the Serbian adult population had hypertension: 25.3% had stage 1 hypertension and 18.1% had stage 2 hypertension. Only 58.0% of the hypertensive population were aware that they had the disease, and 60.4% were receiving medical treatment. Among those receiving medical treatment, only 20.9% had a blood pressure within the normal range. One in 10 participants with hypertension were not treated because, among other reasons, they thought treatment was unnecessary (55.3%) or they lacked money for medication (19.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension is high in the adult population of Serbia. Further action is required to hasten detection and treatment of high blood pressure. Attention should be directed toward educational programs that improve knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of hypertension among adults.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia. vera.grujic@izjzv.org.rs
authors.forename: Grujić
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vera
authors.forename: Dragnić
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nataša
authors.forename: Kvrgić
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Svetlana
authors.forename: Sušnjević
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sonja
authors.forename: Grujić
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jasmina
authors.forename: Travar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sonja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055771:Serbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult