3 Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 2006 Vol. 18 No. 1 increased from 512 in 1999 to 1,313 in 2003 7 . It is the Thai Ministry of Public Health policy that every Provincial Health Office must conduct a periodical survey for screening and early detection of hypertension cases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess health risk behaviours, and measured the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and associated factors among people aged 35-60 years in a rural area of Muang District, Chachoengsao Province. Materials and Methods This investigation was carried out in Chachoengsao Province, 82 kilometers from Bangkok. In 2003, there were 10 districts and 1 semi- district. Two-stage systematic sampling was used to recruit the study subjects (Figure 1). The sample size was estimated using the single proportion formula, with 95% confidence interval. A sample size of 527 cases was calculated based Health Risk Behaviours, Awareness, Treatment and Control of Hypertension among Rural Community People in Thailand N Howteerakul 1 , PhD N Suwannapong 1 , PhD R Sittilerd 2 , MSc P Rawdaree 3 , MD, MSc 1 Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand 3 Bangkok Metropolitan Medical College, Bangkok Medical Association, Thailand Address for correspondence: Dr Nopporn Howteerakul Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Tel: + 66 (0) 2354-8541 Fax + 66 (0) 2354-8567 Email: npp92432@yahoo.com Introduction Hypertension remains a significant public health issue in Thailand and worldwide 1,2 . It is also a major risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal diseases 2 . The Second Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES II), in 1996, showed that Central Thailand had the highest pre- valence of hypertension (14.7%). Of these, 26.6% were aware of their high blood pressure, and 50.8% of treated persons achieved blood pressure control 3 . Most uncomplicated hypertension is asymptomatic. In some cases people live for 10-20 years unaware that they are affected. Mortality from cardiovascular disease due to the complications of hypertension can be found at age 40 years 4-6 . Chachoengsao is a province in Central Thailand. Rapid economic and lifestyle changes have affected the burden of non-communicable diseases in this province. The number of hypertension cases Abstract This cross-sectional study aimed to assess health risk behaviours, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and associated factors among Thai rural community people. 527 people, aged 35-60 years, were randomly sampled and inter- viewed. Two blood pressure (BP) measurements were assessed by standardized protocol. Hyper- tension was defined as a mean systolic BP >140 mmHg or diastolic BP >90 mmHg. 76.9% lacked regular exercise, 28.5% were current alcohol drinkers, and 23.7% were current smokers. The prevalence of hypertension was 17.8%. Among the hyper- tensive cases, 64.9% (61/94) were aware of their high BP, 42.6% (26/61) were treated, and 42.3% (11/26) achieved BP control (<140/ 90 mmHg). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated four variables significantly associated with hypertension: age >40 years (adjusted OR=4.20, 95%CI 1.93- 9.11), married status (adjusted OR=0.48, 95%CI 0.26-0.89), family history of hypertension (adjusted OR=2.39, 95%CI 1.40- 4.07), and BMI >23.0 kg/m 2 (adjusted OR=3.41, 95%CI 1.80- 6.45). Lifestyle modification programs are needed to prevent hypertension. Asia Pac J Public Health 2006; 18(1): 3–9. Keywords: Health risk behaviours, awareness, treatment, control, hypertension, Thailand. at Mahidol University on June 25, 2015 aph.sagepub.com Downloaded from