BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is a frequent disease, responsible for a significant morbidity, in the French Caribbean regions. Today, epidemiological studies on this topic remain few. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension in the French Caribbean regions. METHODS: Analysis of the INHAPAG cohort (Incidence of Arterial Hypertension in the Working population Antillo-Guyanaise) carried out in 2001, and including 6113 active subjects recruited in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana. The procedure of diagnosis of arterial hypertension comprises two visits, with a series of three measurements of the blood pressure at each visit. RESULTS: Prevalence of hypertension is estimated to be 18.9% among women and 19.5% among men. The rates of treatment are higher among women (74.8 vs 34.4%) than among men, resulting in a much better control rate (61.3% vs 38.6% among men). An analysis of factors associated with the presence of arterial hypertension shows a noxious role of low education level among women. CONCLUSION: Our study finds marked differences between women and men in the treatment and control of arterial hypertension and underline the need for improving blood pressure management of the latter.
BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is a frequent disease, responsible for a significant morbidity, in the French Caribbean regions. Today, epidemiological studies on this topic remain few. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension in the French Caribbean regions. METHODS: Analysis of the INHAPAG cohort (Incidence of Arterial Hypertension in the Working population Antillo-Guyanaise) carried out in 2001, and including 6113 active subjects recruited in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana. The procedure of diagnosis of arterial hypertension comprises two visits, with a series of three measurements of the blood pressure at each visit. RESULTS: Prevalence of hypertension is estimated to be 18.9% among women and 19.5% among men. The rates of treatment are higher among women (74.8 vs 34.4%) than among men, resulting in a much better control rate (61.3% vs 38.6% among men). An analysis of factors associated with the presence of arterial hypertension shows a noxious role of low education level among women. CONCLUSION: Our study finds marked differences between women and men in the treatment and control of arterial hypertension and underline the need for improving blood pressure management of the latter.