[Gaps between prescription of anti-hypertensive and hypertension control in older adults of Buenos Aires suburbs].

Background: Medications delivered to primary care centers (PCC) all over the country through the Remediar program (RP) covers 80% of the most prevalent diseases. Among them, the prevalence of hypertension is 77% of 65 years or older.

Objective: To describe the pharmacological treatment and its appropriateness, and to understand needs and barriers among hypertensive beneficiaries of RP at Buenos Aires suburbs. Method Qualitative-quantitative triangulation: cross-sectional study with revision of medical records (MR) and in-depth interviews between December/2008 and February/2009 to hypertensive patients of 65 years or older and CAPS's staff. Prevalence of correct treatment (CT); appropriate Indication (AI); Optimal control (OC) were analyzed.

Results: The following PCCs were selected: Moreno, Tigre, Lomas de Zamora, Lanus and San Isidro. Prevalence of: CT: (10.2%; 95%CI 6,7-15,1); AI: (84.8%; 95% CI 80-89 ), and OC: 11,6% (95%CI 7-16) and OC among patients with good registry: 35.7% (95%CI 24,9-48,1). Eighty two % of patients received a prescription for enalapril. Deficient registry was detected in MR. Interviewees expressed difficulties in accessing treatment, lack of medication and use of alternative circuits to get them. Both, staff and patients were exposed to barriers generated by CAPSs and RP.

Conclusions: A low degree of blood pressure control was observed, even with adequate prescription. Multifactorial problems explain several barriers to access and maintain hypertension treatment.