Controlling arterial hypertension in the French West Indies: a separate strategy for women?

Background: To estimate the prevalence, awareness and treatment of arterial hypertension in Guadeloupe.

Methods: In 2007, a cross-sectional study of 1005 men and women (54%) aged 25-74 years from Guadeloupe, stratified by sex, age and region was set up to determine the prevalence of hypertension. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using an automated device and hypertension was defined as having a mean BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or receiving drug treatment.

[Self monitoring of blood pressure in Guadeloupe in 2005 results of the PRETRAHGUAD enquiry].

The object of this enquiry was to estimate the number of self monitoring devices for blood pressure measurement in Guadeloupe in 2005 and to determine how they were used. The enquiry included 509 patients aged over 35 years and living in Guadeloupe meeting the inclusion criteria of PRETRAHGUAD: PREvalence et TRAitement de Hypertension en GUADeloupe. The enquiry was made by Qualistat, a survey institute.

[Treatment of hypertension in Guadeloupe (FWI) in 2005: Pretrahguad study].

Objectives: To estimate life style and drug therapy for treatment of hypertension in Guadeloupe (FWI) in 2005, and to compare the data with those obtained in a similar study realised in France metropolitan population in 2004.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of a sample of 509 subjects selected as being representative of the Guadeloupe population for age (35 years and above), gender, socioeconomic status, and place of living. Subjects who declare to take an antihypertensive medication were classified as treated hypertensive patients.