PHC visits trends effects on control of blood pressure for hypertensive patients following up in PHCs in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of hypertension is estimated to be 14%. Primary health care centers (PHCCs) play a major role in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia. This study employed a cross-sectional design to collect data from medical records of hypertension patients registered with primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The data was obtained through a comprehensive review of these medical records. Out of the 16,623 patients included in the study, the average annual visit frequency was 5.5 for females and 6 for males. 65.6% (10,910 patients) completed all four annual visits. There was no statistically significant difference in visit completion rates between males and females. The visit count was found to be negatively correlated with Systolic BP (-0.151, 95% CI [-0.195, -0.165]), Diastolic BP (-0.137, 95% CI [-0.147, -0.117]), and MAP (-0.176, 95% CI [-0.191, -0.161]), with a P-value < 0.001 for all parameters. Our findings indicate that the number of visits to Makkah Primary Health Centers positively influences blood pressure control in hypertensive patients.