Objective: To investigate the trends of hypertension prevalence among Chinese adults from 1991 to 2009. To analysis the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on hypertension rate.
Methods: This study was based on the data of China Health and Nutrition Survey which was conducted in 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2009. Adult subjects aged 18 to 74 years old in each round were included. Statistical method of single factor and multi-factor analysis was used.
Results: During the eighteen-year follow up, from 1991 to 2009, the crude rate increased from 14.6% to 28.7%, and the adjusted rate by age increased from 14.6% to 32.2% among males. The crude rate increased from 12.0% to 24.6% , and age adjusted rate from 12.0% to 24.9% among females. Hypertension prevalence was highest among the male group with highest SES score at 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000 and 2004. However, the lowest SES score with highest hypertension prevalence was found among the male group at 2006 and 2009. From 1997, the hypertension prevalence of female with highest SES score was lowest, and the group with lowest SES score was highest hypertension prevalence in female group from 1993. Negative association was found between SES score and female hypertension prevalence by the logistic regression analysis. No association was found between SES score and male hypertension prevalence.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adults had a continual increase with age during the period from 1991 to 2009. Negative association was existed between SES and hypertension prevalence for female. However, further study should be conducted between SES and male hypertension prevalence.