The burden, management rates and influencing factors of high blood pressure in a Chinese rural population: the Rural Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (RuralDiab) study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and potentially influencing factors of high blood pressure (HBP) in Chinese rural adults based on a cross-sectional study. Using data from the Rural Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (RuralDiab) study, a total of 30,834 participants aged 18-74 years were enrolled for the epidemiological study. The multivariate logistic regression model including all selected potentially influencing factors was carried out for the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall, a total of 9872 individuals were diagnosed as HBP (32.02%) with substantial imparity between men and women (32.87% vs. 30.58%), and the corresponding age-standardized prevalence of HBP were 19.50% (20.94% in men and 18.85% in women). Among the HBP patients, 6654 were aware of the diagnosis (67.40%), 5391 were taking medication (54.61%), and 2572 had their blood pressure controlled (26.05%).The corresponding age-adjusted awareness, treatment, and control of HBP were 59.35%, 45.91%, and 23.87%, respectively, and the corresponding rates were higher in women than those in men. The age-specific prevalence and management rates of HBP displayed increased trends with aging in both sexes(P _trend < 0.05). Aging, low level of education, unhealthy lifestyle, positive family history of hypertension, overweight, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were associated with the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of HBP. In conclusion, uncontrolled HBP was common with high prevalence in Chinese rural residents. Strengthening the primary prevention through lifestyle modifications is necessary for reducing the disease burden and improving the management rates of HBP.