Gender and Age Differences in Hypertension Screening and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Rural Kazakhstan

Hypertension remains a major public health challenge with low awareness and control rates. This study aims to assess its prevalence among rural residents in Kazakhstan.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2025 among adults in the Enbekshikazakh district using a validated questionnaire adapted from the May Measurement Month survey. Data on demographics, risk factors, and clinical indicators were collected. Statistical analyzes included Chi-square and t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Among 1200 participants (550 males, 650 females), significant gender differences were observed across behavioral and clinical factors. Males reported higher rates of smoking, e-cigarette and alcohol use, and caffeine intake (p=0.001), while females were more engaged in healthcare and preventive medication use. Hypertension diagnosis and treatment were more frequent among females, but males showed higher measured blood pressure values (p<0.001). Although BMI and anthropometric measures were similar, abdominal obesity was more prevalent in females (73.0% vs 40.4%, p=0.001). These findings indicate distinct gender patterns in lifestyle behaviors, cardiovascular risk factors, and health service utilization within the study population.

Males exhibited higher cardiovascular risk behaviors and blood pressure, while females showed greater healthcare engagement and abdominal obesity, highlighting the need for gender-specific strategies in cardiovascular disease prevention and management.