HYPERTENSION PREVALENCE, KNOWLEDGE , TREATMENT AND CONTROL IN SÃO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPE

Introduction and objectives: The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs ) , including cardiovascular (CVD) is one of the biggest challenges of the XXI century for the developing countries where these diseases continue to increase, affecting the socio-economic development. Living an epidemiological transition, São Tomé is no exception. Hypertension is an important CVD risk factor and there are few studies on its prevalence in the population of Sao Tome , which aim to determine as well as knowledge of diagnosis, treatment and disease control level. Methods: cross-sectional study. Data collected in July 2014 on São Tome island residents between 18 to 90 years. Were obtained a randomized sample, proportional stratification; margin of error of 5 %. Blood pressure were measured three times, on the left arm, seated. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or mean diastolic pressure ≥90 mmHg or antihypertensive therapy use. Results and Conclusions: Of the 365 individuals included, 50.7% are female and the average age is 36.8 years.The hypertension prevalence is 29.0% ; increases with age ( 9.8 % in group 64). From the total of hypertensive, 28.3 % unaware having the disease and 64.2 % were treated . Treaties , 57.4 % were not controlled. The prevalence of hypertension in São Tome lead to consider it a priority risk factor that should be subject to intervention through programs of prevention, detection and treatment.