Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HT) is the most common cause of deaths in the world. Nearly half of the people with HT are unaware of the problem. The aim of the study is to assess the hypertension prevalence, awareness and control, and affecting factors among the primary care clients.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted on 1094 primary care clients who are 18 years old and over in Yozgat province center, in 2010. Data was collected with a questionnaire and by measuring blood pressure (BP) with sphygmomanometer on upper arm by intern nurses. Correlation and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis.
Results: Hypertension prevalence and awareness were 37.6 and 60.1% respectively, among the primary care clients. As age and body mass index increases so does the HT prevalence. The HT awareness is more among women, the unemployed, the older, and those with a middle or high income household. The high BP of less than half of the people whose BP was previously found to be high (46.9%), and who were diagnosed with HT (41.7%) is under control. It becomes more difficult to bring high BP under control as people become older.
Conclusion: The HT prevalence awareness and the control rates are in similar level with the general population. In order to increase the awareness and control of HT, the BP measurement of the clients should be inquired, and if necessary their BP should be measured and those with high BP should be counseled accordingly.

Key words: Hypertension; prevalence; awareness; control; primary health care

Article Language: Turkish English