HYPERTENSION AND SOCIAL STATUS

Abstract

Objective: To describe socioeconomic data in patients treated at a basic health unit in developing countries and their relationship with arterial hypertension Design and method: Prospective cohort of 1000 patients over 18 years selected in 21 primary care units in the city of Rio de Janeiro. At the initial consultation, the clinical form was filled out, in which medical history, socioeconomic variables, data on life habits and functional assessment were documented. Weight and height were measured at the initial visit, and, from these data, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated in Kg/m2. The definition of hypertension was based on data from medical records. Results: The higher the level of education, the lower the proportion of SAH. Most patients had, as shown in table attached, primary education (53.83%). It was more frequent to find non-literate individuals among hypertensives (3.9%) than non-hypertensives (2.6%), with statistical significance. A higher proportion, also with a statistically significant difference, of patients with secondary education (40.44%) and higher education (15.1%) was found among non-hypertensive patients than among hypertensive patients (31.1% and 6.1% respectively). . The vast majority of the sample receives even less than two minimum wages. This can be seen in table attached. It was found that the higher the family income, the lower the proportion of hypertensive individuals. Conclusions: It was verified in the current project that about 60% of the hypertensive population had an income of up to two minimum wages and also an inverse relationship between the level of education and the prevalence of SAH. Low educational level and low economic power, mainly in middle and low-income countries, are even associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.