Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, Control, and Correlates of Hypertension in the Pars Cohort Study

High blood pressure is an important risk factor for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity among Iranians. We aimed to estimate its prevalence, correlates, and its rate of awareness, treatment, and control in South of Iran.

The Pars Cohort Study (PCS) was launched in a district of Fars province. All residents between 40 and 75 years old in the district were recruited from 2012 to 2014. Hypertension was defined as either systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or taking medications. Logistic regression was used to identify the correlates of hypertension and awareness and its treatment and control. A total of 9264 participants were recruited. Of the total participants, 46.2% were men. The mean age was 52.6 years (SD: 9.7).

Prevalence of hypertension was 26.9%. Of the total 2489 hypertensives, 49.6% were aware and 55.7% were under treatment. Blood pressure was controlled in 69.2% of treated hypertensives. In the adjusted model, female sex and history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were positively associated with having hypertension, higher awareness, and better treatment and control. Older age, being overweight or obese, and having a history of diabetes were also positively associated with having hypertension and higher awareness and treatment; however, being overweight or obese was associated with poorer hypertension control. Older age and having a history of diabetes did not show a statistically significant association with control.

Being underweight and higher physical activity were inversely associated with having hypertension but were not associated with awareness, treatment, or control. Prevalence of hypertension is high but the rates of awareness, treatment, and control are not adequate.