Hypertension care in older adults in Brazil: health promotion and prevention

Silva, Suele

Hypertension care in older adults in Brazil: health promotion and prevention

Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)

Suele M Silva, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Luiz A Facchini, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Elaine Tomasi, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Roberto X Piccini, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil, Pelotas, Brazil

Elaine Thumé, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Denise S Silveira, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Fernando V Siqueira, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Mirelle O Saes, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Bruno P Nunes, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Pâmela Volz, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension affects the cardiovascular system, and is influenced by factors such as the amount of salt intake, physical activity, weight control, smoking and co-morbidities. Health promotion and prevention are relevant to its treatment requiring attention from the health services and professionals. The study aims to investigate the prevalence of health promotion and prevention between older adults with hypertension in Brazil.

METHODS: In 2009 a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of the urban population in 100 municipalities of different population sizes in 23 states of the five geopolitical regions identified 6,624 individuals with 60 years and older through a multilevel sample process. The data analysis was performed with chi-square test, using a 5% significance level.

RESULTS: The prevalence of physician-diagnosed hypertension was 52%, and 70% reported a medical consultation for the problem in the twelve months previous the interview, without difference between the economic levels (p=0.33). About 60% of the interviewee reported the last medical consultation for hypertension in public primary health care (PHC), 28% in private services and 12% in other public services. Electrocardiography was reported by 56% of the people with a medical consultation, and it was 69% greater among those using private services, compared with PHC users (p<0.001). The richest received 89% more counseling about weight control and 74% more physical activity advice (p<0.001) when compared to the poorest. No differences were observed in counseling for salt intake related to income (84%; p=0.77).

CONCLUSIONS: The study showed significant inequalities in access to health promotion and prevention, where the poorest older adults received lesser quality care in comparison with the richest.