Objective Assessing hypertension prevalence, treatment
and control by sociodemographic factors in Iran.
Methods We analyzed data from the 2006 National
Surveillance of Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases
of Iran with a population-based sample of almost 30 000
people aged 15–64 years. Multiple logistic regression
models were used to explore differences in hypertension
prevalence, treatment and control, adjusting for
sociodemographic factors, comorbidities and behavioral
factors.
Results Hypertension prevalence was 17.37%. Among
hypertensive patients, 33.35% were under treatment, and,
among treated people, 35.10% had hypertension controlled.
In multiple-regression analysis, age, male sex, low level of
education, Kurd ethnicity, overweight and obesity, diabetes
mellitus, lower level of physical activity and high-Human
Development Index provinces were independently
associated with higher prevalence of hypertension. Income
and living in rural or urban area were not related to
hypertension prevalence. Treatment rates were lower in men,
younger people and people of low education and low income,
but there were no treatment rate disparities connected to
living area, ethnicity and provinces (by Human Development
Index). In addition, diabetic patients, obese people and past
daily smokers had higher treatment rates. Lower control rates
were independently associated with male sex, higher age and
lower education, but not with other variables.
Conclusion In Iran, there is comparatively higher
prevalence of hypertension among people of Kurdish
ethnicity, people of low education and in high-Human
Development Index provinces; a lower treatment
rate among men, younger people, people of
low education and low income; and a lower control
rate among men and people of low education.