OBJECTIVES: To estimate hypertension prevalence and identify associated socioeconomic, demographic, and anthropometric variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with probability sampling. Target population: people > 18 years of age living in the urban area of Formiga, Minas Gerais state, and registered with the Family Health Program (Programa Saúde da Família - PSF), which covers 94% of the population. Two hundred and eighty-five subjects (131 men and 154 women) were enrolled in the study. Criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension were the following: systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication. A standard questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic and demographic data, as well as information on alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity level. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of hypertension in the target population was estimated at 32.7% (95% CI): 28.2-37.2), 31.7% in men and 33.6% in women. Among subjects with prescribed antihypertensive drugs, 66% reported taking their medication regularly. Hypertension prevalence increased steadily with increasing age (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05-1.10) and was positively associated with waist circumference (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.49-6.22) and negatively associated with the level of physical activity (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.25-0.82). CONCLUSION: Hypertension prevalence was very high in the adult population registered with the PSF in Formiga, representing a major public health problem. Intervention programs that boost physical activity, promote compliance with drug treatment, and focus on hypertensive subjects unaware of their condition are needed.
Hypertension; Hypertension; prevalence
