Papua and New Guinea medical journal
-
This is a cross-sectional study conducted intermittently in Port Moresby, the National Capital District of Papua New Guinea, from 1996 to 1997; Mt Obree in Central Province in October 2000; Upper Strickland River in April 2001; and the Balopa Islands in Manus Province in December 2002. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure and identify possible risk factors for hypertension in the 'healthy' population in Port Moresby and the three rural communities. There were 1491 subjects surveyed, 704 males and 787 females. ⋯ The mean systolic blood pressures of betelnut chewers in Port Moresby, Manus and Central were lower (by 1-9 mmHg) but higher--in males only--in Strickland. The mean diastolic blood pressures of betelnut chewers were lower in all study sites. Both high BMI (overweight and obesity) and older age were significantly associated with high systolic blood pressure but betelnut chewing was significantly associated with lower mean SBP (p < 0.001), a protective effect against systolic hypertension.