Awareness, treatment, control of hypertension, and associated factors: Results from a Turkish national study

Despite the fact that hypertension (HT) can be diagnosed and easily treated, it is frequently not handled well throughout the world, and as a developing country in Turkey. The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with the awareness, treatment, and control of HT in Turkey.

Data came from Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Survey, comprising a nationally representative sample of 12,971 individuals, conducted by the Turkish Ministry of Health in 2011. HT was defined as having systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) at least 140/90 mmHg, usage of HT medicines, or having a previous diagnosis. Awareness, treated, and controlled HT were determined by questionnaires/BP measurements. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate associated factors.

The prevalence of HT was found to be 24.8%. Awareness, treatment, and control rates were 65%, 59%, and 30%, respectively. The risk factors for lack of awareness or treatment of HT were male gender, young age, rural residency, lower education, being employed, sedentary lifestyle, and less physical activity for women, unhealthy dietary habits for men, and modifiable risk factors, including smoking and drinking for men. Increasing age, low education for women, marital status subgroups within gender (being single for men and being married for women), smoking and alcohol use for men, and diseases such as diabetes and obesity were also correlated with poor control of HT.

This study recognized associated risk factors that may guide policies and interventions to enhance awareness, treatment, and control of HT in Turkey.