Awareness Status and Prevalence of Hypertension in a Group of Urban Haitians: Findings of a Population-based Survey

Purpose: The primary purpose of this project was to evaluate knowledge and awareness status about hypertension among a group of Haitian adults in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and also to assess treatment status among hypertensive persons within this group.

Methods: Adults (> or =18 yrs) accompanying a sick person to a private clinic or a health center were asked to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Face-to-face questionnaires were administered to volunteers. Blood pressure measurements, weight, and height were obtained on site.

Results: A total of 382 subjects enrolled. Two hundred and eighty-nine subjects (approximately 76%) were normotensives. Among hypertensives: thirty-nine (10%) had borderline hypertension with systolic pressure > or =140<160 mm Hg and diastolic pressure > or =90<95 mm Hg, while fifty-four (14%) had blood pressure levels > or =160/95 mm Hg. Among subjects classified as hypertensive, fifty-seven (61%) were unaware of their high blood pressure and its risk. Only 3 of those aware (8%) reported receiving regular therapy. Thirty percent (30%) of participants believed hypertension was not a serious problem.

Conclusion: These results highlight the need for information about awareness, prevalence, and control of hypertension in Haiti's population. This information could be used as the baseline in the planning of a cost-effective national primary prevention strategy.