Cross-sectional survey on hypertension prevalence, frequency of risk factors and compliance practices in Armenia

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the major public health problems in the world. It is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. Because of hypertension's central role in coronary heart disease and stroke, one of the biggest challenges facing public health authorities and medical practitioners is the control of hypertension worldwide. According to data of Armenian Republican Health Information Analytic Center (RHIAC) in 1999 there were 1166 people per 100,000 population who suffer from hypertension. The incidence rate of hypertension has grown constantly since 1985. To assess the hypertension prevalence in Armenia and to obtain precise information about compliance with hypertension treatment and the frequency of various hypertension risk factors, a survey of the Armenian population is recommended. The design of the study is cross- sectional observational survey. The main tool to conduct this quantitative study is a personal interview with the study population using a questionnaire and measuring blood pressure. Respondents will be selected using multistage cluster sampling (probability proportional to size). One thousand seventy five men and women aged 19 and above from Yerevan, Armavir and Aragatsotn will participate in the survey. Statistical analysis will be done using STATA statistical package. The prevalence of diagnosed hypertensives, of those with elevated blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertensives that comply with treatment will be calculated. Also 2x2 tables and logistic regression model will be used to compare risk factors to hypertension, and to evaluate interaction between variables. The overall duration of the study is six months. The overall estimated budget is approximately nineteen thousand ($19,104).