The prevalence of hypertension in Haiti : A retrospective study

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of hypertension in Haiti and to describe regional characteristics, and thus to speculate Haitian specific regional risk factors. This is a descriptive and comparative study. Subjects were 145 male/female Haitians, who aged between 30 and 59 and have lived in rural areas, had their hypertension indicators being screened. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. More than four fifth of the subjects (82.8%) showed pre-hypertensive or moderate to severe hypertensive condition. 65.5% of the total had abnormal pulse pressure ($PP{\geq}50$) and 13.8% of the sample showed tachycardia (Heart $Rate{\geq}100$). Female Haitian tended to have higher diastolic blood pressure and faster heart rate than male Haitian. The residents who lived in Part 5-1 area with less accessibility to drinking water tended to have higher systolic and diastolic pressure. Hydration status of Haitians was highly considered as an affecting factor on the distribution of hypertension as evidenced by different level of accessibility to drinking water.