RESUMO

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a six-month structured education programme on blood pressure (BP) control in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. All patients attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic, University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), between January 4 and March 29, 1999, with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg (n=80), were randomly divided into Group 1, cases (n=42) and Group 2, controls (n=38). A 40-item pretested questionnaire, administered at the baseline and final visits of both groups, elicited demographic, lifestyles and knowledge data. Group 1 attending monthly structured interventions for six months. Except for diastolic blood pressure among male controls, disatolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure were significantly reduced at the end of the intervention period (p < 0.01). Knowledge improved among the male patients (p < 0.01). Among the female patients, acitivity scores were significantly increased (p < 0.01), weight ( p < 0.05) and BMI (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced. There were no differences in these variables among the controls. This intervention had a benefit in blood pressure control.(Au)

Assuntos

RESUMO

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a six-month structured education programme on blood pressure (BP) control in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. All patients attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic, University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), between January 4 and March 29, 1999, with blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg (n = 80), were randomly divided into Group 1, cases (n = 42) and Group 2, controls (n = 38). A 40-item pretested questionnaire, administered at the baseline and final visits of both groups, elicited demographic, lifestyle and knowledge data. Group 1 attended monthly structured interventions for six months. Except for diastolic blood pressure among male controls, diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure were significantly reduced at the end of the intervention period (p < 0.01). Knowledge improved among the male patients (p < 0.01). Among the female patients, activity scores were significantly increased (p < 0.01), weight (p < 0.05) and BMI (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced. There were no differences in these variables among the controls. This intervention had a benefit in blood pressure control.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of hypertension, its management, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP), medication use, and current lifestyles of patients with persistent hypertension. Patients (n = 80) attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) who had a baseline systolic BP > 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP > 90 mmHg were invited to participate in the study. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. A pretested questionnaire with 40 items eliciting demographic data, level of activity, dietary habits, knowledge of hypertension, medication compliance, use of alternative medicines, and substance use was administered to each participant. Mean BMI for men was 27.65 (95% CI 25.7-29.6); mean BMI for women was 30.89 (95% CI 26.1-35.7). In men, there was an association between BMI and WHR, r = 0.62, p < 0.05, an association between BMI and diastolic BP and a negative association between BMI and activity level (r = -0.42, p < 0.05). There was also an association between systolic BP and substance use (r = 0.41, p < 0.05). Although the majority of both men and women were classified as obese, only 12% of men and 7% of women recognized diet and overweight as contributing to high blood pressure. Reported diets tended to be high in fat, salt and meats and low in vegetables and fruits; the majority of the participants were sedentary. Medication compliance was good, with a mean of only four days of medications missed per month. These findings suggest that to lower blood pressures in this population, the use of nonpharmacologic therapy involving lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight loss and increased physical activity will be important.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of hypertension, its management, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP), medication use, and current lifestyles of patients with persistent hypertension. Patients (n=80) attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) who had a baseline systolic BP> 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP> 90 mmHg were invited to participate in the study. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. A pretested questionannaire with 40 items eliciting demographic data, level of activity, dietary habits, knowledge of hypertension, medication compliance, use of alternative medicines, and substance use was administered to each participant. Mean BMI for men was 27.65 (95 percent CI 25.7 - 29.6); mean BMI for women was 30.89 (95 percent CI 26.1 - 35.7). In men, there was an association between BMI and WHR, r = 0.62, p<0.05, an association between BMI and diastolic BP and a negative association between BMI and activity level (r= -0.42, p<0.05). Although the majority of both men and women were classified as obese, only 12 percent of men and 7 percent of women recognized diet and overweight as contributing to high blood pressure. Reported diets tended to be high in fat, salt and meats and low in vegetables and fruits; the majority of the participants were sedentary. Medication compliance was good, with a mean of only four days of medications missed per month. These findings suggest that to lower blood pressure in this population, the use of nonpharmacologic theraphy involving lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight loss and increased physical activity will be important.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of hypertension, its management, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP), medication use, and current lifestyles of patients with persistent hypertension. Patients (n=80) attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) who had a baseline systolic BP> 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP> 90 mmHg were invited to participate in the study. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. A pretested questionannaire with 40 items eliciting demographic data, level of activity, dietary habits, knowledge of hypertension, medication compliance, use of alternative medicines, and substance use was administered to each participant. Mean BMI for men was 27.65 (95 percent CI 25.7 - 29.6); mean BMI for women was 30.89 (95 percent CI 26.1 - 35.7). In men, there was an association between BMI and WHR, r = 0.62, p<0.05, an association between BMI and diastolic BP and a negative association between BMI and activity level (r= -0.42, p<0.05). Although the majority of both men and women were classified as obese, only 12 percent of men and 7 percent of women recognized diet and overweight as contributing to high blood pressure. Reported diets tended to be high in fat, salt and meats and low in vegetables and fruits; the majority of the participants were sedentary. Medication compliance was good, with a mean of only four days of medications missed per month. These findings suggest that to lower blood pressure in this population, the use of nonpharmacologic theraphy involving lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight loss and increased physical activity will be important.

Assuntos

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of uncontrolled hypertensive clients attending the specialist hypertension clinic at the University Hospital of the West Indies. To evaluate the effect of a six-month structured education programme on blood pressure (BP) control in these clients. METHOD: All clients attending the clinic between January 4 and March 29, 1999, with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg (n=80), were divided into Group 1, cases (n=42) and Group 2, controls (n=38). Blood pressure (BP), weight (wt), height (ht), waist (W) and hip (H) circumferences were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) and W/H ratio calculated. Group 1 attended monthly structured interventions: BP and wt monitoring, videos, group and individual counselling for six months. A 40 item pretested questionnaire, administered to both groups, collected demographic, lifestyle, knowedge and medication data at baseline and at the end of six months. RESULTS: Mean BMI for men was 27.2 (95 percent CI, 25.7-29.6); mean BMI for women was 30.9 (95 percent CI, 26.1-35.7). Although the majority of both men and women recognized diet, inactivity and overweight as contributing to high blood pressure. Reported medication compliance was good with a mean of only 4 days missed per month. In men, there were associations between BMI and WWHR, p<0.05, BMI and diastolic BP and a negative association between BMI and activity level, p<0.05. Following the intervention, BP was reduced overall, p<0.01, except for diastolic BP in male controls. Knowledge improved among the male cases p<0.01. In the female cases activity scores were higher, p<0.001; Wt and BMI, were lower than at baseline, p<0.05. There was no difference in these variables among the controls. CONCLUSION: Structured education and monitoring interventions with personalised counselling in life style management and weight reduction may be an important part of therapy for clients.(Au)

Assuntos

RESUMO

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a six-month structured education programme on blood pressure (BP) control in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. All patients attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic, University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), between January 4 and March 29, 1999, with blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg (n = 80), were randomly divided into Group 1, cases (n = 42) and Group 2, controls (n = 38). A 40-item pretested questionnaire, administered at the baseline and final visits of both groups, elicited demographic, lifestyle and knowledge data. Group 1 attended monthly structured interventions for six months. Except for diastolic blood pressure among male controls, diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure were significantly reduced at the end of the intervention period (p < 0.01). Knowledge improved among the male patients (p < 0.01). Among the female patients, activity scores were significantly increased (p < 0.01), weight (p < 0.05) and BMI (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced. There were no differences in these variables among the controls. This intervention had a benefit in blood pressure control.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of hypertension, its management anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP), medication use, and current lifestyles of patients with persistent hypertension attending the Specialist Hypertension Clinic at UHWI from January to March 1999. Patients (n=80) who had a baseline systolic BP > 140mmHg and/or a diastolic BP > 90 mmHg were invited to participate in the study. BP, height, weight, waist/hip ratios (WHR) were calculated. A 40 item pretested questionnaire eliciting demographic data, level of activity, dietary habits, knowledge of hypertension, medication compliance, use of alternative medicines, and substance use was administered to each participant. Mean BMI for men was 27.65 (95 percent CI 17.8, 37.5); mean BMI for women was also 30.89 (95 percent CI 18.5, 43.3). In men there was an association between BMI and WHR, r=0.62, P < 0.05, an association between BMI and diastolic BP and a negative association between BMI and activity level, r=-0.42, P < 0.05. Although the majority of both men and women were classified as obese, only 7 percent of men and 12 percent of women recognized diet and overweight as contributing to high blood pressure. Reported diets tended to be high in fat, salt and meats and low in vegetables and fruits; the majority of the participants were sedentary. Medication compliance was good, with a mean of only four days of medications missed per month. These findings suggest that to lower blood pressures in this population, the use of nonpharmacologic therapy involving lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight loss and increased physical activity will be important.(AU)

Assuntos

Assuntos

RESUMO

Although Costa Rica has one of the most effective national health systems in Latin America, popular medicine still persists. The sobada is a traditional healing technique which involves rubbing. Used principally to treat pega, a folk-diagnosed gastrointestinal condition which mainly affects children and old people, it was used by 70% of a random sample of families from the poorer barrios of San José. In recent years Costa Rica's health system has been under great strain because of increased costs and numbers of users. The prevalence and possible resurgence of the sobada may be an adaptation of poor people to national health services which have grown suddenly very large and impersonal and to the recent introduction of oral rehydration in hospital settings.

Assuntos