Prevalence, awareness, medication, control, and risk factors associated with hypertension in Yi ethnic group aged 50 years and over in rural China: the Yunnan minority eye study

Abstract

BackgroundHypertension is an important public health issue in China, but there are few studies examining hypertension in ethnic groups in Yunnan, China. This study, Yunnan Minority Eye Study (YMES), was initially designed to determine the prevalence and impact of eye diseases, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. As a part of YMES, the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and the associated risk factors among the Yi ethnic population in rural China are reported.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted in 2012 with adult participants over 50 from rural communities in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, located in southwest China. A random cluster sampling method was used to select a representative sample. The participants’ blood pressure, height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. Hypertension was defined as mean systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, and/or current use of antihypertensive medications.ResultsA total of 2208 adults were assessed. The prevalence of hypertension was 38.5%, and the age- and gender-adjusted prevalence was 37.0%. The proportion of patients who were aware of their hypertension among those diagnosed with hypertension was 24.8%. Of those aware of having hypertension, 23.6% took antihypertensive drugs. Among all hypertensive patients, only 7.2% had controlled their hypertension (<140/90 mmHg). Risk factors for hypertension were older age, smoking, alcohol consumption, family history of high blood pressure, overweight, and obesity. Protective factors included being slim and higher education.ConclusionsHypertension was highly prevalent among this population of the Yi ethnic group in China. The ratio of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were considerately low. Hypertension education and screening programs in rural China are recommended to improve the health status of this population.

Prevalence of Hypertension in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“… 113 , 121 , 131 , 135 , 136 , 140 Importantly, hypertension rates were consistently higher among overweight/obese participants, compared to normal weight persons across all regions (mean prevalence 46.4% [95% CI 33.1–60.7] vs 26.3% [95% CI 15.8–37.8], P < 0.00001). 30 , 33 , 41 , 44 , 47 , 55 , 56 , 61 , 62 , 65 , 66 , 69 , 78 , 85 , 90 , 97 , 99 , 106 , 113 , 117 , 128 , 131 , 134 – 136 , 140…”

Antihypertensive treatment and depressive symptoms in Chinese middle‐aged and older hypertensive adults: A population‐based longitudinal study

“…There is a great gap in hypertension management between urban and rural residence in China, 18,19 and the rate of monitoring and follow-up among rural hypertensive adults was lower than that of urban hypertensive adults, which was consistent with earlier findings. 37 which may modify the estimated effects on incidence of depressive symptoms in our study. 37 which may modify the estimated effects on incidence of depressive symptoms in our study.…”

“…[34][35][36] Additionally, most of the health promotion activities, such as advocating rational use of drugs, and improving health behaviors like weight control, physical exercise, and healthy diet are commonly held in city communities, which caused a barrier to equal access for rural population. 37 Moreover, recent studies have indicated that although hypertension is typically asymptomatic and many patients look otherwise healthy, its inapposite detection and management may cause psychological stress since being diagnosed with hypertension were challenging to individuals' personality and caused a loss of self-esteem and therefore rendering patients psychologically stressful. 30,38 Fourth, except for hypertension management, prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms in urban areas is better than those in rural areas.…”

The prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension subtypes among ethnic Dai adults in rural China

“…In previous reports, we have described the prevalence of hypertension in adult rural Chinese populations of the Bai nationality in Dali [12] and the Yi nationality in Shilin [13]. To facilitate the comparison among different nationalities, our data collection process in the Dai ethnicity is the same as that of the Bai and Yi nationalities.…”