Blood Pressure Screening Campaign in the Adult Population

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization estimated that 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women have hypertension (HTN). Considering the impact of high blood pressure (BP) identification to prevent its related complications. Objectives: This study was performed to describe the first national BP screening program conducted in Babol, north of Iran. Methods: In this historical cohort carried out at Babol University of Medical Sciences, data related to the 2019 BP screening mass campaign in adult people ≥ 30 years were collected. BP less than 120/80 mm Hg was considered as normal, and mean BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive medication was defined as hypertension. When the systolic pressure was 120 - 139 or the diastolic pressure was 80 - 90 mm Hg, the person was classified as a prehypertensive case. Results: Totally, 220,241 adult people, with a mean age of 49.82 ± 14.26 years were screened, of whom 42,107 cases (19.1%; 95% CI: 18.95 - 19.28%) had hypertension, 112,406 cases (51.0%) had normal BP, and 65,728 cases (29.8%) were diagnosed as prehypertensive cases. After controlling for demographic covariates, the logistic regression models showed significantly higher odds of hypertension for married individuals (adjusted OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.19 - 1.27; P < 0.0001) and those living in urban regions (adjusted OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.79 - 1.88; P < 0.0001). The prevalence of hypertension showed no significant difference between men and women (P = 0.476). Conclusions: As nearly one in five adults had hypertension, and nearly 30% were diagnosed as prehypertensive individuals, a continuous BP screening program is recommended in this region. High BP was observed more in older and married cases and in people living in urban regions.