Prevalence, self-awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Lhasa, Tibet

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2012;34(5):328-33. doi: 10.3109/10641963.2011.649930. Epub 2012 Apr 2.

Abstract

To investigate the prevalence, self-awareness, and treatment of hypertension in Lhasa, Tibet, a total of 1370 native Tibetan aged ≥18 years were selected, using stratified proportional sampling. The study showed that the prevalence of hypertension was 51.2%, significantly higher in men (56.0%) than in women (48.0%) (P = .004). The hypertension prevalence increased with increasing age (77.8% in 60-74 y and 82.5% in ≥75 y groups) and was higher in urban, suburban, or agricultural area than in pastoral area (P < .001). The self-awareness, treatment, and control rate of hypertension were 63.5%, 24.3% and 7.7%, respectively. In multivariable regression analysis, age, urban residence, amount of daily intake of fat and oil, and body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2) were independently associated with hypertension. In conclusion, hypertension was highly prevalent among native Tibetan people in Lhasa, and the rates of self-awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were low.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ageism
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / epidemiology*
  • Hypertension / prevention & control
  • Hypertension / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Tibet / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents