Hypertension (elevated primary blood pressure)‎: Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in urban communities of khartoum state, sudan.

Abstract EN

A randomized, population-based, cross-sectional epidemiology survey was carried out in Khartoum State (urban) in 2007.

Objective : To determine the distribution of blood pressure (BP), prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in urban communities of Khartoum State, Sudan.

A stratified sampling method was used to select a sample of the adult population over 17 years of age.

The total number of participants was 833.

The mean systolic and diastolic BP levels, distribution of blood pressure were determined.

The prevalence of hypertension (mean systolic BP > 140 mmHg or mean diastolic BP > 90 mmHg), was assessed ; for previously diagnosed, undiagnosed and / or taking antihypertensive drugs.

Patient awareness, treatment taken and adopted measures of control of hypertension were assessed.

The overall age-adjusted and sex-adjusted prevalence of hypertension in urban communities Khartoum State was 16.8%, whereas the prevalence among males was 19,2%, which was higher than in females (9.2%), while 37.9% of those with hypertension were aware of their diagnosis, 37.1% were receiving pharmacologic treatment.

Those who were aware of their diagnosis and were receiving treatment had a control rate of 44.2%, while the overall control was only 16.4%.

The results indicate that hypertension in urban communities of Khartoum State, is primarily inadequately managed health problem, rather than a matter of high prevalence, Therefore, health authorities in Khartoum State and throughout the country are urgently required to draw population-based strategies and put in place effective measures to improve the prevention, early detection and control of hypertension.