title: Trends in population blood pressure and prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among middle-aged and older adults in a rural area of Northwest China from 1982 to 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess trends in average blood pressure levels and prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among adults in a rural area of Northwest China, and to determine associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four cross-sectional population-based surveys were conducted between 1982 and 2010 among randomly selected adults in rural areas of Hanzhong, in Northwest China. Data on blood pressure, body mass index, family history of hypertension, and socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected in similar way by trained investigators in four surveys. Data of 8575 participants aged 35-64 years was analyzed. Averages and proportions were adjusted for age and sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average blood pressure in the population has increased since 1982 from 76.9 mm Hg to 79.6 mm Hg in 2010 (diastolic) and from 120.9 to 129.7 mm Hg (systolic). Prevalence of hypertension increased from 18.4% in 1982 to 30.5% in 2010, and awareness of hypertension increased from 16.8% to 38.4% in 2010. Treatment of hypertension increased from 1.0% in 1982 to 17.4% in 2010, and control of hypertension increased from 0.1% in 1982 to 3.5% in 2010. All these gradients were statistically significant (P<0.01 for trend). Population blood pressure and prevalence, awareness and treatment of hypertension were positively associated with increasing age, body mass index and having family history of hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Average blood pressure levels and the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among adults in rural areas of Hanzhong have increased since 1982. However, awareness, treatment and control rates remain low. Public health programs and practical strategies are required to improve prevention and control of hypertension in rural Northwest China. In particular, attention should be given to the elderly and obese, and to those with a family history of hypertension, while raising awareness and treatment among younger adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Shaonong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Ruihai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xueying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data