Prevalence of Systemic Arterial Hypertension in Quilombola Communities, State of Sergipe, Brazil

The quilombolas are groups formed by black ancestry individuals, living in a context of social vulnerability due to low socioeconomic level, which influences health care and the development of chronic diseases.

To assess the prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in the quilombola population in the State of Sergipe, Brazil.

Study design was cross sectional, involving the administration of a questionnaire to individuals aged ≥ 18 years, in 15 quilombola communities of the State of Sergipe, Brazil. A value of two-sided p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

sA total of 390 individuals were evaluated, 72.3% of whom were women, with a mean age of 44.7 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 26% (with a confidence interval of 95% [95% CI]: 22-30), with no significant sex-related differences. The age was associated with arterial hypertension (95% CI: 1.03-1.06), systolic (95% CI: 1.04-1.07) and diastolic (IC 95%: 1.01-1.04) arterial hypertension. The level of body mass index was associated with arterial hypertension (95% CI: 1.00-1.11) and diastolic arterial hypertension (95% CI: 1.03-1.17). Economic class was associated with diastolic arterial hypertension (95% CI: 1.22-5.03).

The prevalence of arterial hypertension in the quilombola communities was high. Its association with cardiovascular risk factors indicates the need to improve access to healthcare services.