ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine the prevalence of hypertension in a population above 60 years of age and its relationship with demographic and anthropometric factors. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2019. Using a multistage random cluster sampling, 160 clusters were selected from 22 districts of Tehran. All participants were interviewed to collect demographic, anthropometric, and socioeconomic information. Then, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured under standard conditions twice, 10 min apart. A third measurement was performed if the two measurements showed a difference of ≥ 10 mmHg in SBP or ≥ 5 mmHg in DBP. Hypertension was defined as a SBP > 130 mmHg or a DBP > 80 mmHg (new criteria), being a known case of hypertension, or use of blood pressure lowering medications. Results: Of 3791 invitees, 3310 participated in the study (87.3%). The mean age of the participants was 68.25 ± 6.54 years (60-97 years). The prevalence of hypertension was 81.08% (95% CI: 79.57-82.59) in the whole sample; 82.96% (95% CI: 81.02-84.91) in females, and 79.15% (95% CI: 76.6 -81.69) in males. The prevalence of hypertension ranged from 75.47% (95% CI: 72.65-78.29) in the age group 60-64 years to 88.40% (95% CI: 83.71-93.08) in the age group ≥ 80 years. The prevalence of hypertension unawareness was 32.84% (95% CI: 30.82-34.86). The highest and lowest prevalence of hypertension was seen in illiterate subjects (89.41%) and those with a university education (77.14%), respectively. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, older age, lower education level, obesity and overweight, neck circumference, and diabetes were significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension. Conclusion: A significant percentage of Iranian elderly have hypertension and one of every 3 affected individuals is unaware of their disease. Considering the population aging in Iran, urgent and special attention should be paid to the elderly population. Caring for the elderly, informing families, and using non-traditional screening methods are recommended by families at the first level and policymakers at the macro level.
ABSTRACT
Given the high prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and that a lifestyle is recognized effective in development of many diseases, this study aimed to compare lifestyle of women with PCOS and healthy women. Nor are there sufficient studies on the difference between lifestyle of these people with that of healthy people. Furthermore, studies show that changes in lifestyle improve this disease. This descriptive-comparative study was conducted on 65 women with PCOS and 65 healthy women of 18 to 45 years old who presented to hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2013. The subjects were selected using multi stage random sampling method. The data were collected using questionnaires for diet, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and unhealthy behaviors and were analyzed in SPSS v. 17, using descriptive statistics, Man-Whitney, independent t, Chi-square and logistic regression tests. The results showed there was a significant relationship between PCOS and inappropriate diet (p=0.009), low physical activity (p=0.009), but no relationship was observed between PCOS and unhealthy behaviors. Given the results obtained, training and awareness raising is necessary for women and girls especially about appropriate diet and regular physical activity.
