Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension in an Isfahan State Institution Sample

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for premature disability and death and is the leading risk factor for global disease burden. The present study aimed to assess the rates of prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a sample of teachers, staff, and students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS). Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to September 2015 on the staff, teachers, and students at IUMS. A total of 1500 subjects were randomly selected and were invited to participate in the survey. Hypertension was defined as an average of 2 blood pressure measurements of at least 140/90 mmHg. The rate of awareness was determined based on self-reports, treatment was defined as the regular use of blood pressure-lowering medications, and control was defined as the maintenance of blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg. Results: The study population comprised 1317 individuals (45.9% female) at a mean age of 41.4±9.5 years. The prevalence rate of hypertension was 17.5% (231 of 1317 participants), and the rate of awareness was 54.5% (126 of 231 hypertensive patients). Seventy-nine (62.7%) patients were undergoing treatment, and 51.9% (41 of 79) controlled their disease. Institutional position (P<0.017), age (P<0.001), body mass index (P<0.001), education level (P<0.001), smoking status (P<0.001), and history of diabetes mellitus (P<0.001) were the most frequent risk factors associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The percentage of the hypertensive subjects who were aware, treated, and controlled was unacceptably low in our sample at IUMS. Hypertension is, therefore, a major health problem in this state institution.