Hypertension and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Community Based Epidemiological Study in An Egyptian Village

Background: High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, associated with 54% episodes of stroke worldwide and 45% of Ischemic Heart Disease deaths are attributable to high systolic blood pressure. Aim of the work: To identify the prevalence rate of hypertension among adult inhabitants of Badaway village, Al-Mansoura District, Al-Dakahlia Governorate, to identify the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of hypertension compared to non-hypertension individuals, to assess the (HRQOL) among hypertensive patients compared to non- hypertension individuals, and to evaluate the effect of an educational health program on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among hypertensive patients. Subjects and methods: A study was conducted on 1100 of adult populations aged 30 years and older living at the studied village, A cross sectional study using questionnaire to assess the participant's HRQOL by SF-36 questionnaire, and interventional study included application of intervention program on hypertension group. Results: The total prevalence of hypertension was 28.2% of the total studied sample. The important predictor's factors were overweight, obese, older age, unmarried status, employment, and high socioeconomic level. The mean of Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary and their items of HRQOL were statistically higher among the normal group compared with hypertension group. The intervention program has a significant effect on improving means of PCS and MCS of HRQOL. Conclusion: Application of simple health education intervention program can lead to significant positive impact on knowledge, behaviors and HRQOL of hypertension patients.