STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN OMANI POPULATION

Dr. Alka Ahuja*, Abeer Ahmed Al- Ansari and Sumaiya Anwar Al- Zadjali

ABSTRACT

Various studies have demonstrated that prevalence of hypertension in Oman is higher than many other countries. In one such study it was concluded that 23-27% of population might be suffering from hypertension. The research was conducted in order to study the prevalence and management of hypertension among Omani population in Muscat region. The non-hospitalized patients aged between 18-85 years who visited the Al-Mabelah health center, Al Khoudh health center and Alseeb polyclinics in Muscat were selected for the study. Patients age, gender, type of hypertension, treatment and complications associated were collected. The questionnaires were also distributed. The data was collected over a period ranging from October 2013 until February 2014. It was observed that the majority of people suffering from hypertension were males which might be due to environmental and genetic factors. High prevalence was mainly among the older age group of 51-60 years. It was found that most of patients suffering from hypertension received education at primary educational level. A family history was an important contributory factor. Higher risk factors of having hypertension were stress and lack of exercise.

Keywords: Hypertension, Elderly patients, Genetic factors.