Epidemiology of Hypertension in Serbia: Results of a National Survey

Abstract

BackgroundWe evaluated the prevalence of high blood pressure and the level of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a Serbian population.MethodsA cross-sectional study of an adult population was carried out across Serbia in 2006. The study involved 14 204 adults aged 20 years or older. Interviews and measurements of blood pressure were performed at participants’ homes.ResultsOverall, 47% of the Serbian adult population had hypertension: 25.3% had stage 1 hypertension and 18.1% had stage 2 hypertension. Only 58.0% of the hypertensive population were aware that they had the disease, and 60.4% were receiving medical treatment. Among those receiving medical treatment, only 20.9% had a blood pressure within the normal range. One in 10 participants with hypertension were not treated because, among other reasons, they thought treatment was unnecessary (55.3%) or they lacked money for medication (19.3%).ConclusionsThe prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension is high in the adult population of Serbia. Further action is required to hasten detection and treatment of high blood pressure. Attention should be directed toward educational programs that improve knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of hypertension among adults.

How does lean work in emergency care? A case study of a lean-inspired intervention at the Astrid Lindgren Children's hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

“…This situation is common in healthcare as operations are often not explicitly designed [17,35]. Like Radnor and Walley [17], we found the lean intervention to contribute to basic stability in operations.…”

“…This situation is common in healthcare as operations are often not explicitly designed [17,35]. Like Radnor and Walley [17], we found the lean intervention to contribute to basic stability in operations. Lean promoted a process view, yielded more explicit work methods as well as roles and responsibilities, and enhanced stakeholders' understanding of capacity and demand.…”

“…In particular, Holden's recent review of lean applications in A&Es shows that lean can contribute to decreases in waiting times, length of stay, and the proportion of patients leaving without being seen [ 16 ]. As a whole, lean in health care is nevertheless at an early stage of development [ 12 , 14 , 17 ]. Most published examples of lean in healthcare focus on the use of particular tools, such as process mapping, to achieve short-term improvements [ 13 , 14 , 17 ].…”

“…As a whole, lean in health care is nevertheless at an early stage of development [ 12 , 14 , 17 ]. Most published examples of lean in healthcare focus on the use of particular tools, such as process mapping, to achieve short-term improvements [ 13 , 14 , 17 ]. Little is typically done to enable structured problem solving involving frontline workers and management [ 14 , 18 ] and there are only a few cases in which lean interventions are integrated into an organizational-wide strategy [ 13 , 14 , 17 ].…”

Ten Year Trends in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…In the FBIH, a total of 41% of the respondents were registered as hypertensive and there was no significant change in prevalence in relation to the 2002 study. ( 9 , 10 ) Prevalence of hypertension in the FBiH in comparison with the countries of this part of Europe is similar, particularly in comparison with Croatia and Slovenia, while it is lower than the results of recently conducted research in Serbia ( 11 - 14 ).…”