Hypertension in South African adults:  results of a nationwide survey.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the age-specific, sex-specific, and race-specific prevalence of hypertension among South African adults using a nationally representative dataset.


METHODS
Data from the 59 227 adults (ages 18 and older) who participated in the 2010 South African General Household Survey (GHS) were analyzed using age-adjusted logistic regression models and direct age standardization.


RESULTS
The weighted prevalence of self-reported diagnosis of hypertension by a health professional was 10.4%. The prevalence of hypertension increased significantly with age for both men and women. For black African, coloured, and Indian/Asian populations, the prevalence of hypertension in women was about twice the prevalence for men, with the gap narrowing for older adults. For white South Africans, the age-standardized rates were not significantly different by sex. The highest age-standardized diagnosed hypertension rates were for coloured women and black African women; the lowest age-standardized rates were for black African men and Indian/Asian men. In total, 94% of those reporting a diagnosis of hypertension reported taking antihypertensive medications.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant burden from hypertension in South Africa, especially as the under-diagnosis of hypertension may mean that the GHS underestimates the true rate of high blood pressure in the population.
Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
Takahiro
T
Hasumi
Kathryn H
KH
Jacobsen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044466:Asian People; D044383:Black People; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents