Factors associated with hypertension prevalence, unawareness and treatment among Costa Rican elderly
Reliable information on the prevalence of hypertension is crucial in the development of health policies on prevention, control, and early diagnose of this condition. This study describes the prevalence of hypertension among Costa Rican elderly, and identifies co-factors associated to hypertension prevalence, unawareness and treatment.
Methods: The prevalence of hypertension is estimated for the Costa Rican elderly.
Measurement error is assessed, and factors associated to prevalence, unawareness and treatment are explored. Data for this study come from a nationally representative sample of about 2,800 individuals of CRELES (Costa Rica: Longevity and Healthy Aging Study).
Two blood pressure measures were collected using digital monitors. Self reports of previous diagnose, and medications taken were also recorded as part of the study.
Results: No evidence of information bias was found among interviewers, or over time.
Hypertension prevalence in elderly Costa Ricans is 65% (Males=60%, Females=69%). The proportion of unaware men is higher than the proportion of unaware women (32% vs.
20%). The main factors associated with hypertension are: age, being overweight or obese and family history of hypertension.
For men, current smokers are 3 times more likely of being unaware of their condition as compared to non smokers. Both men and women are less likely to be unaware of their condition if they have family history of hypertension.
Those women who are obese, diabetic, have suffered heart disease or stroke, or have been home visited by community health workers are less likely to be unaware of their hypertension. The odds of being treated are higher in educated individuals, in those with family history of hypertension, diabetics or who have had heart disease.
Conclusions: Sex differences in terms of hypertension prevalence, unawareness, and treatment in the elderly people have been found.
Despite of national programs of hypertension detection and education, unawareness of hypertension remains high, particularly among elderly men. Modifiable factors identified to be associated with prevalence such as obesity and alcohol intake could be used in educational programs aimed to the detection and treatment of those individuals who have the condition.
Author: Ericka Mendez-Chacon, Carolina Santamaria-Ulloa and Luis Rosero-Bixby
Credits/Source: BMC Public Health 2008, 8:275
Published on: 2008-08-05
Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please
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