Treatment seeking behaviour in hypertension: factors associated with awareness and medication among socioeconomically disadvantaged migrants in Delhi, India.

The present study is apart of a cross-sectional prevalence study. Descriptive statistics were used to present the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the influence of socio-demographic and other variables on awareness and on current medication use. The results reveal that only 41% of the total hypertensive persons were aware of their hypertension status, and only 59% of them were on medication. Of those treated, only 5% had controlled hypertension. Multiple logistic regression analyses reveal that gender, age, pulse rate and education were significantly associated with awareness of hypertension whereas age is the only significant factor associated with medication use. The Hosmer and Lemeshow tests for goodness of fit reveal that these regression models are a good fit. The study concludes that undiagnosed hypertension is considerable. Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension are not adequate among socioeconomically disadvantaged migrants. Since hypertension has become a common problem, the health education and awareness campaigns along with facilities such as blood pressure screening and hypertension treatment through primary health care system are essential.