Abstract

STEYN, Krisela; BRADSHAW, Debbie; NORMAN, Rosana  and  LAUBSCHER, Ria. Determinants and treatment of hypertension in South Africans: The first Demographic and Health Survey. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2008, vol.98, n.5, pp.376-380. ISSN 2078-5135.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the groups of patients with high prevalence and poor control of hypertension in South Africa. METHODS: In the first national Demographic and Health Survey, 12 952 randomly selected South Africans aged 15 years and older were surveyed. Trained interviewers completed questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and the management of hypertension. This cross-sectional survey included blood pressure, height and weight measurements. Logistic regression analyses identified the determinants of hypertension and the treatment status. RESULTS: A high risk of hypertension was associated with less than tertiary education, older age groups, overweight and obese people, excess alcohol use, and a family history of stroke and hypertension. Hypertension risk was lowest in rural blacks and significantly higher in obese black women than in women with a normal body mass index. Improved hypertension control was found in the wealthy, women, older persons, Asians, and persons with medical insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Rural black people had lower hypertension prevalence rates than the other groups. Poorer, younger men without health insurance had the worst level of hypertension control.

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