FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UNCONTROLLED ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN PATIENTS FROM PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic Arterial Hypertension is one of the main causes for the development of cardiovascular diseases, and blood pressure control is the best alternative for its prevention. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of uncontrolled arterial hypertension and its associated factors in patients from primary health care units. Methods: A cross-sectional study with hypertensive individuals from Health Units of the Cabula-Beiru Sanitary District in the city of Salvador, Bahia, from March to July 2013. Bivariate and multivariate analyses using Odds Ratio (OR) were performed. The magnitude of the association between the variables and uncontrolled hypertension was estimated by the calculation of the odds ratio (95% CI) and logistic regression. The data were analised by the software Stata and the project was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of the State University of Bahia. Results: Were included 297 hypertensive patients aged 18-87 years. Of these, 159 (53.5%) had uncontrolled hypertension. Low education level (OR=1,71; CI95%: 1,02 – 2,86) and family income (OR=4,09; CI95%: 1,03 – 15,21), black or brown skin color (OR=2,64; CI95%:0,97 – 6,32) and obesity (OR=2,37; CI95%: 1,09 – 5,17) were associated with poor blood pressure control. The presence of concomitant diabetes (OR=0,56; CI95%: 0,34 – 0,95) was a protective factor. Conclusion: The results suggest a high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and its association with social factors, life habits and concomitant pathologies. The knowledge of these characteristics may provide more specific planning of health promotion and prevention actions for these subgroups in Primary Health Care.