Abstract:

Objective   To determine the change of blood pressure and evaluate the effect of community comprehensive lifestyle modification on blood pressure control in mid-western rural areas of Shandong Province. Methods   A non-communicable disease control project was launched in mid-western rural areas of Shandong Province from 2007 to 2010. The baseline survey was performed using multi-stage random sampling method in 8 counties of mid-western rural areas in 2007, the participants aged 25 and above were recruited to undergo questionnaire survey, physical examination and blood pressure measurement. Health education focusing on a balance diet, physical activity promotion and tobacco & alcohol control was performed among the intervention population. The terminal survey using the same questionnaire with the baseline was performed in 2010, and the intervention group and control group were selected from intervention and non-intervention areas, respectively. The effect was evaluated compared the difference between the two surveys. Results   Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) in the baseline population in 2007 were 134.46 and 83.50mmHg, respectively, and those in 2010 were 132.47 and 80.80 mmHg in the intervention group, 133.54 and 81.12mmHg in the control group. Significant decreases in SBP and DBP were found between the  baseline in 2007 and the intervention group in 2010(P<0.05). Insignificant decreases were found between the intervention and  control population in 2010(P>0.05), and there were more obvious decreases in males than in females, and in elderly population than in younger population. Conclusions   Community comprehensive lifestyle modification exerts a significant effect on blood pressure control, especially on males and elderly population. Intervention measures should be strengthened in middle-aged rural population.

Key words: Blood pressure; Life-style; Comprehensive intervention; Rural areas