Hypertension Prevalence in Van, Turkey-1997

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to investigate the prevalenceof hypertension in Van.Method: A total of 2010 subjects (586 male, mean age:44.8 ± 14.9; 1424 female, mean age: 39.1 ± 14.1) betweenthe ages of 20-74, were sampled from a targetpopulation of 315,866 according to systematicsampling technique. Blood pressure of each participantwas measured by using ErkaÆ sphygmomanometer fortwo times with a 3 minutes interval by a physician andan average was obtained.Results: Hypertension prevalence was 34.9 % (males:33.3 %, females: 35.5 %, p> 0.05) according to 140/90mmHg criterium and 19.1 % (males: 14.5 %, females:21.0 %, p < 0.001) according to 160/95 mmHg criterium.Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were129.97± 27.78 mmHg (95% CI:128.7, 131.2)(males:128.20 ± 24.30 (95 % CI: 126.2, 130.2), females:130.70 ± 29.10 (95 % CI: 129.2, 132.2), p = 0.013) and81.95 ± 14.24 mmHg (95 % CI: 81.3, 82.6) males: 81.10 ±13.0 (95 % CI: 80.0, 82.2), females: 82.30 ± 14.70 (95 %CI: 81.5, 83.1), p = 0.07), respectively.Conclusion: In Van, hypertension is a serious healthproblem and efficient public health measures andeducation programs are needed.Key words: Turkey, Van, hypertension, prevalence,epidemiology