OBJECTIVETo understand the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in rural area in Sichuan province.

METHODSThe cross-sectional data of 55 687 subjects who were enrolled into the China Kadoorie Biobank study from Pengzhou in southwestern China were used to analyze the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among local residents.

RESULTSThe prevalence of hypertension among population aged 30-79 years old was 25.2%. The awareness rate of self hypertension status, the treatment rate and the control rate of hypertension were 24.7%, 14.7% and 3.7%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, the awareness rate of self hypertension status, the treatment rate and the control rate of hypertension were associated with the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects. The prevalence of hypertension in winter (70%-80%) was higher than that in summer, while the awareness rate, the treatment rate and the control rate of hypertension in winter were much lower than those in summer. Among the hypertension patients, the rates of smoking and alcohol use were high, the dietary habit was bad, physical activities were less and the prevalence of obesity was higher. The lifestyles of the hypertension patients were improved in those who know about their disease status.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of hypertension was high, but the awareness rate of self hypertension status, the treatment rate and the control rate of hypertension were low in rural area in Sichuan. It is necessary to strengthen the health education in young population and the treatment and control of hypertension in old population. Meanwhile, the management of hypertension patients should be standardized.