Situation of hypertension in some Bangkok slums

A cross-sectional epidemiologic survey was undertaken in slums in the catchment areas of two health centers in Bangkok. Two hundred and sixty representative households were randomly selected. All adults (993) aged 20 years and over who lived in the households were asked to participate. The results were, however, based on 809 subjects (89%) who responded and whose data were completed. It was found that prevalence of hypertension (blood pressure > or = 160/95 mmHg) was 14 per cent with a 95 per cent confidence interval of 11.8 and 16.4 per cent. Nearly half of the hypertensives were found to be mild cases (diastolic blood pressure = 95-105 mmHg). Less than half of the hypertensives were aware of their condition. Even a lower proportion was under treatment and had their blood pressure controlled. The results confirmed earlier studies that slum inhabitants seem to be at high risk of hypertension. Furthermore, the status of hypertensives in terms of awareness, treatment and control was unacceptably poor. This prompts a need to develop community programmes to cope with the problems.