Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in an indigenous community of central Brazil: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors among the native indigenous of Jaguapiru village in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted with adult indigenous aged 18 years or more. The subjects' blood pressure was measured twice, and the mean of the two measurements was calculated. Body weight, height, capillary blood glucose and waist circumference were measured. Pregnant women, individuals using glucocorticoids, and non-indigenous villagers and their offspring were excluded. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted on the socio-demographic and clinical independent variables. Interactions between independent variables were also tested.


RESULTS
We included 1,608 native indigenous eligible to the research. The prevalence of hypertension was 29.5% (95% CI: 27-31.5), with no significant difference between the genders. For both men and women, diastolic hypertension was more common than systolic hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among obese, diabetic, and older participants, as well as those who consumed alcohol, had a lower educational level, or had a family history of hypertension. There was no association between hypertension and tobacco smoking or family income.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension among the indigenous from Jaguapiru village was similar to the prevalence in the Brazilians, but may have a more negative effect in such disadvantaged population. The associated factors we found can help drawing prevention policies.
Clinical Medicine Department, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brazil.
Geraldo F
GF
Oliveira
Clinical Medicine Department, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brazil.
Teresinha R R
TR
Oliveira
Clinical Medicine Department, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brazil.
Adauto T
AT
Ikejiri
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brazil.
Mariela P
MP
Andraus
Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil ; Getulio Vargas University Hospital, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
Tais F
TF
Galvao
Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
Marcus T
MT
Silva
Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil.
Maurício G
MG
Pereira
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D055815:Young Adult