Hypertension prevalence and risk factors among adult population in Afyonkarahisar region: a cross-sectional research

Objective: Hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide with increasing prevalence. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of hypertension and related risk factors among adult population in Afyonkarahisar region. Methods: In this cross-sectional research, regarding the population distribution totally 2035 subjects, randomly selected from 75 different parts of our city, both the urban and the rural areas, were included in this epidemiologic research. After the administration of a questionnaire to the subjects, blood samples were taken and physical examinations were performed. Socio-demographic features, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, family history of hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), smoking, and number of births were evaluated as possible risk factors for hypertension. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis.Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 24.2% (31.3% in women, 14.1% in men, p<0.001). Its prevalence increased with age (from 2.2% to 50.4%, p<0.001). Age, gender, DM, family history of hypertension, body mass index (BMI), CHD and income levels were significant risk factors. Diabetic patients had 2.35 times (95%CI 1.70-3.25: p<0.0001) more risk, people who had positive family history 2.23 times (95%CI 1.62-3.07: p<0.0001) more risk and those with high BMI 2.15 times (95%CI 1.66-2.78: p<0.0001) more risk to develop HT than who did not have these factors. In addition, women have 2.74 times (95%CI 2.08-3.62: p<0.0001), more risk than men for HT. We determined CHD and low income as other risk factors for HT (OR=2.32, 95%CI 1.48-3.64: p<0.0001) and OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.08-2.02: p=0.016 respectively). Conclusion: Hypertension is an important health problem in our region. We think that it is possible to reduce the hypertension prevalence with lifestyle changes and educating people, regarding the risk factors.