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Associated risk factors for arterial hypertension in an adult population of the parish Quingeo, Cuenca-Ecuador

Abstract:

Introduction: Hypertension (HT) is a modifiable risk factor for the presence of vascular, cardiac and renal diseases, with important repercussions in the global public health. Epidemiological data of this pathology on rural populations in Ecuador are limited, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors with HT in the rural population of Quingeo, Ecuador. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study with multi-stage random sampling was conducted in 530 individuals over 18 years old of both sexes, who were applied a complete medical history. Blood pressure was classified according to JNC7 criteria. A logistic regression model was constructed to determine associated factors with HT. Results: The prevalence of HT was 16.2% (n=86), 16.3% (n= 51) in women and 16.1% (n= 35) in men. At the same time, age was associated with the prevalence of HT (÷2= 4.276; p<0.001), with higher percentages to older adults. The main associated factors with HT were the middle-age adults (OR= 3.41; 95%CI= 1.73-6.09, p<0.001), older adult (OR= 4.98; 95%CI: 2.24-10.09; p<0.001), alcohol consumption (OR= 2.56; 95%CI: 1.02-6.44, p=0.044), divorced civil status (OR=5.16; IC95%:1.53-17.44, p=0.008) and high level of leisure time physical activity (OR= 0.20; 95%CI:0.08-0.94, p=0.040). Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of HT in the rural population of Quingeo compared to other latitudes. Aging, divorced marital status, alcohol consumption and high physical activity in leisure-time were the main associated factors with HT, being necessary policies in health that diminish their impact on the population and promotion a beneficial lifestyle.