The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and its management in a disadvantaged population, essentially composed of those receiving state subsidies and the unemployed.
Methods: The PHAPPG study : Prevalence of Hypertension in a Population Précaire Guadeloupéenne (disadvantaged population in Guadeloupe) included 2420 consecutive people considered to be 'disadvantaged' seen in the two medical examination centres in Guadeloupe between November 2001 and November 2003.
Results: The prevalence of obesity was considerable throughout the female population of Antilles (29%). It was recorded in 12% of men. The prevalence of hypertension in the population was 24.7% for men and 22.1% for women. Obesity was the main factor that could explain the higher prevalence of hypertension noted in Antilles, especially among 'disadvantaged' women. In effect, after correction for other risk factors and for age, this prevalence of hypertension was on average three times higher amongst the obese compared to subjects with normal weights.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension is elevated in the population of Antilles, especially among the disadvantaged. Obesity is the key factor, upon which a primary prevention policy for hypertension could be based.