Epidemiological study of hypertension in Chongqing area of China

Objective To explore epidem iological status and risk factors of hypertension in Chongqing and establish the foundation forprevention and cure of hypertension.Methods In 2005,we investigated the hypertension prevalence rate,awareness rate,treahnent rate,control rate and analyzed risk factors of hypertension.Data collection was based on stratified cluster sampling we classified community (village) as sample unit and obtained a sample size of 5,246 in both the urban and rural unit.Results The prevalence rate of hypertension in Chongqing was 18.49%,and the standardization rate was 16.65%.The prevalence increased gradually with age,and this became more obvious for the participants of 35 years old or above Rates of a wareness,treatment and control of hypertension were 41.55%,36.91% and 10.72% respectively (55.56%,52.51%,16.49% in the urban area and 22.57%,15.78%,2.91%in nrral area,respectively).The rates were significantly higher in urban area(P<0.01).Risk factors associated with hypertension were age,gender,ovenv eight or obesity (BMI≥25),abdomen obesity,hyperlipidem ia,consumption of salty food and lack of sleep.Protective factors were educanon level,drinking black tea.Conclusion The prevalence rate of hypertension in Chongqing escalated rapidly from 11.9% in 1991 to 18.8%.The main risk factors were age,hyperlipidemia,over eight or obesity,locality (urban or rural), and abdomen obesity.There is an urgent need to carry out comprehensive hypertension prevention and treahnentprograms in communities,especially in the rural areas.