OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence state of essential hypertension in the countryside of Zhangwu county, Liaoning province to confirm whether this county is the high prevalence region of essential hypertension.

METHODSFive thousand, two hundred and eight 15-year olds or older were sampled by means of whole population random sampling. Blood pressure was measured and the related risk factors were investigated with the uniform questionnaire. SPSS 10.0 of statistical software was used for data analysis.

RESULTSThe standardized prevalence rate of hypertension was 35.0% at this region, 40.0% in male, 32.0% in female. The prevalence rates of hypertension were increased with the increasing of the age in both males and females. There were significant statistically differences in the prevalence rates of hypertension between the different age groups, different countrysides and different villages. The standardized prevalence rate of hypertension were 43.0% the highest and 29.0% lowest respectively in the countryside, with prevalence rates, were 59.4% highest and 26.9% lowest respectively in the village. In all the patients with hypertension, 72.0% having hypertension II, III.

CONCLUSIONThe countryside of Zhangwu county was a high prevalence region of essential hypertension which was unusual in our country. The reason of this status was still unknown which called for further study.