Knowledge, awareness, behavior (KAB) and control of hypertension among urban elderly in western China.

OBJECTIVE: To explore knowledge, awareness, behaviors (KAB) and control of hypertension among urban elderly population (>or=60 years) in Xi'ning and Chengdu cities.
METHODS: A 2-stage sampling method recruited 4141 participants sampled from 20 communities. Data collection included blood pressure measurements, using a mercury sphygmomanometer, and information about KAB and other factors through face-to-face structured questionnaire.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension (SBP>or=140 and/or DBP>or=90, and/or current treatment for hypertension) reached to 48.5%; 75.3% of hypertensive participants were aware about their disease; 32.1% in all hypertensive patients had controlled BP (BP<140/90) and 48.2% of those treated had controlled BP. A higher proportion of hypertensive participants showed adequate knowledge on complications in comparison to knowledge about HTN risk factors. Participants with controlled BP were more knowledgeable about threshold, risk factors, and complications as a result of hypertension, had increased awareness, and took medications and BP measurements on regular basis with more inclination to follow or initiate treatment. In the logistic regression model, men (odd ratio [OR]: 1.31), good knowledge of hypertension risk factors (OR: 1.19), awareness of being hypertensive (OR: 2*10(9)), and regular medication (OR: 1.48) were associated with controlled BP.
CONCLUSION: The control rate of hypertension was much higher in our study compared to the 2002 nation wide study and other studies performed in some developing countries. Health care providers ought to strengthen their measures by delivering appropriate knowledge to elderly patients about hypertension risk factors, raising more awareness among people about their hypertension status, and encourage more compliance towards treatment.