Hypertension awareness in urban Haitians Purpose. The primary purpose of this project was to evaluate knowledge and awareness status about hypertension among a group of Haitian adults in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and secondarily to assess treatment status among hypertensive persons within this group. Methods. Adults (=18 yr.) accompanying a sick person to a private clinic or a health center, were asked to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Face to face questionnaires were administered to volunteers. Blood pressure measurements, weight and height were obtained on site. Results. A total of 382 subjects enrolled. Two hundred and eighty-nine subjects (~76%) were normotensives. Among hypertensives: thirty-nine (10%) had borderline hypertension with systolic pressure ³140 <160 mmHg and diastolic pressure ³90 <95 mmHg, and fifty-four (14%) had blood pressure levels=160/95mmHg. Among subjects classified as hypertensive, fifty-seven (61%) were unaware of their high blood pressure and its risk. Only 3 of those aware (8%) reported receiving regular therapy. Thirty percent (30%) of participants believed hypertension was not a serious problem. Conclusion. Results highlight the need for more and better epidemiological data about awareness, prevalence and control of chronic diseases such as hypertension in Haiti and other developing countries. This information will be used as baseline in the planning of the most cost-effective strategy: a national primary prevention program.
Learning Objectives: At conclusion of session, participants will 1-recognize the growing problem of cardiovascular diseases in developing countries; 2-be aware of the characteristics of hypertension in the Caribean and Haiti specifically
Keywords: Hypertension, Developing Countries
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.