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Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Vietnam—results from a national survey

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 26, pages 268–280 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate mean blood pressure (BP), prevalence of hypertension (defined as BP ⩾140/90 mm Hg) and its awareness, treatment and control in the Vietnamese adult population. This cross-sectional survey took place in eight Vietnamese provinces and cities. Multi-stage stratified sampling was used to select 9832 participants from the general population aged 25 years and over. Trained observers obtained two or three BP measurements from each person, using an automatic sphygmomanometer. Information on socio-geographical factors and anti-hypertensive medications was obtained using a standard questionnaire. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 25.1%, 28.3% in men and 23.1% in women. Among hypertensives, 48.4% were aware of their elevated BP, 29.6% had treatment and 10.7% achieved targeted BP control (<140/90 mm Hg). Among hypertensive aware, 61.1% had treatment, and among hypertensive treated, 36.3% had well control. Hypertension increased with age in both men and women. The hypertension was significantly higher in urban than in rural areas (32.7 vs 17.3%, P<0.001). Hypertension is a major and increasing public health problem in Vietnam. Prevalence among adults is high, whereas the proportions of hypertensives aware, treated and controlled were unacceptably low. These results imply an urgent need to develop national strategies to improve prevention and control of hypertension in Vietnam.

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Acknowledgements

Technical and financial support for this study was made available by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region. We would like to thank Professor Leigh Blizzard, a WHO expert, Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia for his valuable and helpful insights in the design of this study. The survey participants, principal staff, the host institutions and all those involved in the survey data collection at eight provinces in this study are greatly acknowledged. We would specifically like to recognise the contributions of the following staff:

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vietnam National Heart Institute, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam

    P T Son, N N Quang, N L Viet & P G Khai

  2. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

    P T Son, N N Quang, S Wall, L Weinehall & P Byass

  3. Department of Cardiology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam

    N N Quang, N L Viet & P G Khai

  4. School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    R Bonita

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Correspondence to P T Son.

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Additional information

Vietnam National Heart Institute: Do Doan Loi, Do Quoc Hung, Nguyen Thi Bach Yen, Pham Thi Tuyet Nga, Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai, Nguyen Quoc Thai, Khong Nam Huong, Pham Tran Linh, Nguyen Cong Ha, Tran Thi An, Do Kim Bang, Nguyen Minh Hung, Do Phuong Anh, Dao Ngoc Thuy, Pham Nhu Hung, Hoang Van, Tran Hai Yen, Le Thanh Binh, Do Thuy Can, Nguyen Xuan Tu, Nguyen Thi Hai Yen.

National Hospital of Endocrinology: Ta Van Binh, Pham Thi Lan, Nguyen Hong Loan, Ho Khai Hoan, Nguyen Thu Hien, Le Thi Viet Ha, Ha Quang Thanh.

Vienam-Poland General Hospital, Nghe An: Pham Hong Phuong.

Thai Binh Service of Health, Thai Binh: Le Xuan Dieu.

Khanh Hoa Service of Health, Khanh Hoa: Tran Van Minh.

Daklak Service of Health, Daklak: Nay Nguyen, Tran Van Tiet.

Nguyen Trai General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh city: Pham Thi Nga.

Dong Thap Service of Health, Dong Thap province: Nguyen Van Thuyen.

This study was supported from the Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, funded from FAS, the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (grant no. 2006-1512) and through the SIDA Health Systems Research Programme is appreciated.

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Son, P., Quang, N., Viet, N. et al. Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Vietnam—results from a national survey. J Hum Hypertens 26, 268–280 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2011.18

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