Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Taiwan: results of Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 1993-1996

The objective of this paper is to describe hypertension status in Taiwan using data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 1993-1996, which adopted a clustered stratified multistage sampling scheme. A total of 4838 males and 4876 females aged 4 years and above were interviewed and examined corresponding to a response rate of 74%. Almost all of them (97.5%) had blood pressures measured. The results show that the mean blood pressure of adult males was higher than that of adult females below 45 years of age. After that, the pattern was reversed. When defined by JNC IV criteria (SBP/DBP greater than or equal to 160/95 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive drugs), the prevalence was 13% in adult males (greater than or equal to 19 years) and 12% in adult females. When defined by JNC VI criteria (SBP/DBP greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive drugs), the prevalence was 26% in adult males and 19% in adult females. The prevalence in the mountainous area, was the highest among the seven survey strata. Under the JNC IV definition, 43% males and 53% females with hypertension knew their disease status, 31% of males and 45% of females took medicine for it, and 15% of males and 22% of females had their blood pressure under control. Percentages of awareness, treatment, and control were much lower with the JNC V definition, which was introduced toward the end of survey period. People in metropolitan areas had the highest rates of awareness, treatment, control, and compliance to medication.