Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and socio demographic determinants of hypertension in Malaysian adults.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is the leading cardiovascular risk factor globally as well as in Malaysia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and the socio demographic determinants of hypertension among Malaysian adults.


METHODS
The analytic sample consisted of 11,288 adults aged ≥ 30 years recruited at baseline in 2007-2011 from the REDISCOVER Study which is an ongoing, prospective cohort study involving 18 urban and 22 rural communities in Malaysia. Socio-demographics, anti-hypertensive treatment details and an average of at least two blood pressure measurements were obtained.


RESULTS
The age-adjusted prevalence was 42.0 % (CI: 40.9-43.2) and was higher in men [43.5 % (CI: 41.2-45.0)] than women [41.0 % (CI: 39.8-42.3)]. Participants from rural areas (APR: 1.12, CI: 1.04-1.20); aged at least 40-49 years (APR: 1.86, CI: 1.62-2.14); who were overweight (APR: 1.24, CI: 1.15-1.34) and obese (APR: 1.54, CI: 1.43-1.6) were more likely to have hypertension. The Indigenous ethnic group was less likely to be aware (APR: 0.81, CI: 0.69-0.92) and to be on treatment (APR: 0.66, CI: 0.55-0.79). Those in rural areas were less likely to have their hypertension controlled (APR: 0.61, CI: 0.49-0.75). On the other hand, control was more likely in females (APR: 1.25, CI: 1.01-1.54) and Indigenous group (APR: 1.64, CI: 1.19-2.25).


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension is common in the Malaysian adults. The control of hypertension has increased over the years but is still quite low. Public health measures, as well as individual interventions in primary care are crucial to reduce their risk of developing complications.
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia. drsuraya.abdulrazak@gmail.com.|Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia. drsuraya.abdulrazak@gmail.com.|Primary Care Medicine Discipline, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 68100, Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia. drsuraya.abdulrazak@gmail.com.
Suraya
S
Abdul-Razak
Faculty of Medicine & Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Aqil Mohammad
AM
Daher
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Centre for Translational Research and Epidemiology (CenTRE), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.|Primary Care Medicine Discipline, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 68100, Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Anis Safura
AS
Ramli
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Centre for Translational Research and Epidemiology (CenTRE), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.|Primary Care Medicine Discipline, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 68100, Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Farnaza
F
Ariffin
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Centre for Translational Research and Epidemiology (CenTRE), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.|Primary Care Medicine Discipline, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 68100, Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Md Yasin
MY
Mazapuspavina
Faculty of Medicine & Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Krishnapillai S
KS
Ambigga
Faculty of Medicine & Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Maizatullifah
M
Miskan
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Centre for Translational Research and Epidemiology (CenTRE), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.|Primary Care Medicine Discipline, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 68100, Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Hasidah
H
Abdul-Hamid
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Centre for Translational Research and Epidemiology (CenTRE), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.|Primary Care Medicine Discipline, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 68100, Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Nafiza
N
Mat-Nasir
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Centre for Translational Research and Epidemiology (CenTRE), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.
Mohamed Noor Khan
MN
Nor-Ashikin
Faculty of Medicine & Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kien Keat
KK
Ng
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.|Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, 68100, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.
Hapizah
H
Nawawi
Centre for Translational Research and Epidemiology (CenTRE), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.|UCSI University, UCSI Height, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Khalid
K
Yusoff
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D044382:Population Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
Awareness; Control; Hypertension; Malaysia; Prevalence; Treatment