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Arterial hypertension and associated factors in the older adults of the Baños Parish, Cuenca

Abstract:

Introduction: Arterial hypertension (HTN) in the elderly has been scarce analysed in Ecuadorian rural communities, so the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors in the elderly of the Baños, Cuenca, Ecuador. Materials and methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study in which 200 elderly residents of the parish of Baños participated, intentionally selected in 2 ambulatory primary care centres. A questionnaire was used to collect data, determining the background of HTA and its potential associated factors, evaluated by a logistic regression model. Results: A prevalence of HTN (personal history) was 35.5% (n=71), being higher in married subjects (Without HBP: 55% vs With HBP: 73.2%, p=0.04). There was a statistically significant association with HTN family history (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.08-5.05, p=0.03) and the presence of low HDL-C (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.05-4.11, p=0.04). Conclusion: The prevalence of HTN is high in the older adult population of the rural parish of Baños, with two fold risk of suffering it in those subjects with a family history and with the presence of low HDL-C.