OBJECTIVETo observe the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao populations.

METHODSA total of 1170 subjects of Bai Ku Yao aged 15 and over were surveyed by a stratified randomized cluster sampling. Blood pressure, body height, weight, waist circumference, serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels were measured, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated, matched 1173 subjects of Han Chinese from the same region served as control.

RESULTSThe standardized prevalence of hypertension in Bai Ku Yao was significantly lower than that in Han (11.53% vs.16.79%, P < 0.01). The mean levels of systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure in Bai Ku Yao were also significantly lower than those in Han [(115.7 +/- 16.3) vs. (120.0 +/- 16.3) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), P < 0.01; (74.1 +/- 9.4) vs. (75.9 +/- 10.4) mm Hg, P < 0.01; and (41.6 +/- 12.0) vs. (44.2 +/- 11.2) mm Hg, P < 0.01; respectively]. Hypertension was positively correlated with male, age, physical activity, BMI, waist circumference, and the intakes of total energy, total fat, and sodium, and negatively associated with education level in both ethnic groups (P < 0.05 - 0.01), but was positively associated with alcohol consumption only in Han. The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were significantly lower in Bai Ku Yao than those in Han population [(11.81% vs. 21.76%), P < 0.05; (5.51% vs. 12.95%), P < 0.05; and (2.36% vs. 8.29%), P < 0.05; respectively].

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of hypertension was significantly lower in Bai Ku Yao population than in Han population and diet, low sodium intake, life style, and genetic factors might be responsible for the lower hypertension prevalence in Bai Ku Yao population.