Prevalence of Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Associated Factors in Adults and Elderly Users of Primary Health Care

Abstract

Background: Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) represents one of the main public health challenges, significantly affecting the quality of life and increasing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, being one of the leading causes of permanent disability. Objective: To estimate the prevalence and to verify the factors associated with SAH in adults and the elderly attending Primary Health Care (PHC) in the municipality of Marau/RS. Methodology: Cross-sectional study design with a random sample of adults and the elderly of both sexes. Individuals with a documented history of hypertension in electronic medical records were classified as hypertensive. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and health information were collected. Wald tests for linear trend and multivariate Poisson regression with selection by the backward stepwise method were applied. In the final model, statistical significance was considered when p < 0.05. Results: The sample consisted of 3,309 adults and elderly individuals, with a prevalence of SAH of 44% (95% CI 42-46). In the final model, the risk factors associated with SAH were: age group between 70 and 79 years (PR=18.75; 95% CI 13.34-26.35), being out of the workforce (PR=1.21; 95% CI 1.08-1.36), completing late elementary education (PR=0.95; 95% CI 0.91-0.99), being overweight by body mass index (PR=1.20; 95% CI 1.09-1.33), diabetes (PR=1.35; 95% CI 1.28-1.43), and dyslipidemia (PR=1.11; 95% CI 1.04-1.19). Conclusion: The prevalence of SAH is high and is related to significant risk factors. Therefore, it is essential to implement prevention and control actions in Primary Health Care.

Keywords: Chronic disease; Essential Hypertension; Primary Health Care; Unified Health System.