Abstract
Hypertension is a leading cause of death worldwide; data on hypertension among ethnic minorities in China are sparse. This study aimed to estimate hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in a Kazakh population, and to assess the association between salt intake and the above measures. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Kazakh adults (≥30 years old) in the town of Hongdun, Altay, Xinjiang. Survey procedures included a questionnaire, physical measurement, and laboratory tests. Of 1805 eligible individuals, 1668 (92.4%) were included in the analysis. After adjustment for gender, age, and occupation, prevalence of hypertension was 45.5%. The proportions with awareness, treatment, control, or medication-control were 61.0%, 28.8%, 2.9% and 10.1%, respectively. Higher prevalence was seen among nomads and farmers (50.7% and 44.6%, respectively). However, the proportions with treatment or control were lower than seen among urban citizens. Hypertension prevalence was higher in those with higher salt intake (p = 0.0008). In contrast, the proportions with awareness (p = 0.0389), treatment (p = 0.0010), control (p = 0.0503), and medication-control (p = 0.2012) reduced as salt intake increased. In conclusion, hypertension prevalence is high in this population, but the proportions with awareness, treatment, or control are sub-optimal. Public health interventions that improve hypertension prevention and control, particularly among nomads, is needed.
Highlights
Elevated pressure in the arteries, known as hypertension[1], is a chronic, asymptomatic condition that increases an individual’s risk of developing several diseases, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and renal failure[2]
Significant differences between males and females were seen in occupation, education, body mass index (BMI) group, salt intake, smoking and drinking status, as well as personal history of cardiac disease
An increased salt intake was associated with an upward trend in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in males and females
Summary
Elevated pressure in the arteries, known as hypertension[1], is a chronic, asymptomatic condition that increases an individual’s risk of developing several diseases, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and renal failure[2]. The 2010 Chinese guidelines for the management of hypertension[6] point out that more than half the deaths from cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases in China are related to hypertension. There are approximately 1.25 million Kazakh people in China, 96% of whom reside in the remote northwest Xinjiang Autonomous Region[12] These individuals have previously been documented to have high salt intake habits (through salted milk tea and salted air-dried beef), a high prevalence of hypertension (among the top five of the 56 ethnic groups in China), and transitional lifestyles[13,14,15,16]. The aims of this study were to quantify the status of hypertension prevention and control in this population, to identify influential factors and to evaluate the association, if any, between salt intake and hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
