Hypertension Screening and Follow-up Management by Primary Health Care System among Chinese Population Aged 35 Years and Above

Key words: 
• Hypertension /
• Policy /
• Screening /
• Management

Abstract: Objective To describe hypertension screening and follow-up management among Chinese population aged 35 years and above within the primary health care system.
Methods Data from 2010 China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance System were used. We investigated previous hypertension diagnosis, screening, and follow-up assessments within the primary health care system. The prevalence of self-reported and criterion-based hypertension, screening rates, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with screening, and patterns of follow-up assessments were recorded. The SAS software system was used for statistical analyses.
Results About 17.1% reported a previous hypertension diagnosis. The rate difference between the two measures of prevalence was 27.2%. Among those without self-reported hypertension, 27.7%reported never visiting a clinic during the past 1 year and 60.4%of those attending a clinic reported ever being screened. Younger age group was associated with lower screening proportion;odds ratios of 35-, 45-, 55-, and≥65 years were 1.7 (95%CI:1.5-1.9), 1.5 (95%CI:1.3-1.7), 1.3 (95%CI:1.2-1.4), and 1.0, respectively. About 35.1% of the patients had undergone follow-up assessments four or more times during the past 1 year.
Conclusion Majority of the Chinese population aged 35 years and above, particularly the less educated, elderly population, and rural residents were unaware of that they were suffering from hypertension. Most patients did not receive enough management services by the primary health care system. Thus, strengthening both the screening and follow-up management is needed.