Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in the urban district of Wuhan, China : implications for community nursing practice

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a significant public health challenge contributing to cardiovascular disease and stroke, and leads to premature mortality and disability both globally and locally. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and to determine the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in an urban Chinese population. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative survey design. A total of 1448 community residents were recruited from the SuiGuoHu district using a stratified random sampling strategy. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and health examination. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 35.4%, significantly higher in women (40.8%) than in men (30.7%) (P<0.001). More than one third (37.9%) of those with hypertension were not compliant with prescribed medications,significantly higher among women (44.4%) than men (28.6%). Approximately 68% were aware, with women (75.6%) significantly higher than men (60.3%) (P<0.001). The treatment rates were 87.7% and women were less likely (46.7%) to have their blood pressure controlled than men (47.2%). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that hypertension was highly prevalent. The rates of awareness, treatment and control were also higher than in previous China surveys. Overall, the present study showed that more women than men suffered from hypertension and were treated. However, women were less likely to be compliant with medication or have their blood pressure under control. This nformation is important in enabling community health nurses to play a vital role as a source of primary and secondary prevention of CVD to design a culturally sensitive program targeted at high-risk populations like older women and those living alone, so as to diminish the prevalence of hypertension and reduce the burden of CVD in urban areas, Wuhan of China.