Hypertension in a low-income, predominantly afrocolombian city: Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors from a community-based screening.

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is a serious medical condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in lower-middle-income countries, but the lack of local data can hinder the planning and development of strategies to manage this condition.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Quibdó, a predominantly afrocolombian middle-sized city. Additionally, we aimed to describe the distribution of risk factors and analyze the associations among clinical outcomes, demographic characteristics, behaviors, and prior conditions.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used secondary data from a community-based screening conducted by local government institutions between May and September 2019.

RESULTS

Among the participants screened, 892 (21%) had hypertension and 46.52% were aware of their diagnosis. Of the participants that were aware, 65.3% were receiving pharmacological treatment. However, only 54.61% of participants receiving treatment had controlled hypertension, meaning that only 16.5% of the population with hypertension had adequate awareness, treatment, and control. Additionally, 50.43% of the participants without hypertension had prehypertension and 62.53% of the population had excess body weight. While 91.81% had their blood pressure checked within the past year, there remains a persistent issue within the health care system.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of hypertension in communities in lower-middle-income countries such as Quibdó is concerning, as is the low awareness, treatment, and control of this condition. Community-based screenings are useful; however, a gap remains in translating these efforts into effective public health prevention strategies and clinical practice. This highlights the need for future research to support the adoption of more comprehensive approaches to hypertension prevention and treatment in underserved communities.