Prevalence and control of hypertension among unique ethnic minorities in Yunnan province:a comparative study

Objective To examine prevalence rate,awareness,treatment and control of hypertension among four unique ethnic minorities in Yunnan province.Methods With stratified multi-stage sampling,a representative sample of 5 532 permanent ethnic minority (Naxi,Lisu,Dai,and Jingpo ethnic) residents aged 35 years and over in Yunnan province were selected and investigated with a face-to-face questionnaire survey and physical examination.Results The overall prevalence rate of hypertension among the four unique ethnic minorities was 33.95%(33.25% for males and 34.61% for females).For the Naxi,Lisu,Dai,and Jingpo ethnic minority residents,the standardized prevalence of hypertension was 25.43%,18.23%,52.63%,and 37.95%;the awareness rate of hypertension was 42.56%,50.18%,35.60%,and 27.99%;the treatment rate was 28.15%,28.17%,28.27%,and 12.82%,and the control rate was 8.55%,7.99%,8.09%,and 4.37%,respectively.Among the four ethnic groups,the Lisu ethnic residents had the lowest prevalence rate of hypertension,whereas the Dai ethnic had the highest(P < 0.01);the Lisu ethnic residents also had the highest awareness rate of hypertension,whereas the Jingpo ethnic had the lowest(P < 0.01).Jingpo ethnic residents had an obviously lower hypertension treatment rate compared with other three ethnic minorities(P < 0.01).The women had higher awareness rate of hypertension than men among the four ethnic minorities(P < 0.05).Conclusion There were significant differences in prevalence,awareness,and treatment rate of hypertension among four unique ethnic minorities in Yunnan province.Future strategies for prevention and control of hypertension should take into account of different ethnic characteristics.