Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of Hypertension among the elderly: the 2006 National Health and Morbidity Survey III in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among the elderly population in Malaysia.
METHODS: Analysis of secondary data from a cross-sectional national population based survey using stratified multistage sampling conducted from April to August 2006 throughout Malaysia National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III). Adults aged 60 and older who had participated in the survey were included in the study.
RESULTS: A total of 4954 respondents (14.3%) were elderly from the 34,539 respondents aged 18 years and above for hypertension module in NHMS III. A total of 4933 elderly had their blood pressure examined (giving a response rate of 99.6%). The overall prevalence of hypertension among elderly was 74.0%, more in elderly female (77.4%) than men (70.1%). Only 49.3% of them were aware of their hypertensive status, 42.4% were currently treated and 22.6% of those being treated were under control. The results of multiple logistic regression showed factors associated with higher awareness and treatment rates were similar i.e. females, young-old age group (age 60-74), urban residents, Chinese ethnic group and higher education. For those elderly who were on treatment, determinants associated with controlled hypertension were Chinese and Indians ethnic groups and higher educational level.
CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of hypertension among the elderly in Malaysia but with poor awareness, treatment and control rate. Reliable information on these aspects is important for the development of patient education programs, health policies to improve disease management and overall health care resource allocation especially among the elderly in Malaysia.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)