Prevalence and sociodemographic factors in a hypertensive population in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is one of the greatest problems of public health in Brazil. Its detection and early treatment should be a priority to reduce the morbimortality of the cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of SAH and the sociodemographic factors in a population of hypertensive individuals from São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a stratified sample of 1,717 people, representative of the urban adult population from the city of São José do Rio Preto, between 2004 and 2005. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1,717 people, with 762 of them (25.2%) being characterized as hypertensive. The following results were observed: 54.6% were women; 78.4% were caucasian; 66.1% were illiterate or had not finished Elementary School; 63.9% were married, 40.9% belonged to social classes D and E; 37.9% were self-employed or wage earners. CONCLUSION: The results of study on SAH in the city of São José do Rio Preto shows the need for early-onset continuous educational interventions.