Abstract
This study aims to determine the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) in the elderly people as well as their knowledge of this disease. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study in the town of Bobo-Dioulasso from October to November 2015 at the intervention sites of the Association of Medical Assistance to elderly people "KAFOLI". Patients aged 60 years and more, with or without hypertension, who wished to participate in the study were included. Subjects were considered to be hypertensive when they had systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg or when they were under antihypertensive treatment. Socio-demographic and clinical data as well as the risk factors associated with the disease were collected. Knowledges on arterial hypertension were based on general knowledges about arterial hypertension as sources of information about it. A total of 88 subjects were included in this study. The study involved 56 women and 32 men (sex ratio 0.57). The average age of patients was 71 years (IQR:66-76). The prevalence of arterial hypertension was 61,36% and it was associated with knowledges about AH and with alcohol consumption; 68.18 % of patients had knowledge of AH. The majority of them were followed up in first-level health care nursing centres (64,81%). This study highlighted a high prevalence of hypertension in elderly people living in Bobo-Dioulasso. The majority of these persons were aware of this disease. In the majority of cases follow-up was ensured by nursing staff.