Hypertension in Hungary is classed as a potentially prevalent disease both because of its incidence and social consequences. Its origins can be traced back to environmental, economic and social changes. The aim of our analysis is: -to show the connections between hypertension development and the characteristics of social structure, life style and awareness. -to define social determination of hypertension and to evaluate it in view of applicability in prevention and treatment. Screening examination and sociological data collection was conducted in the 17th district of Budapest in 1982-83 in a random sample of patients between 20-64 years of age. While screening besides blood pressure measurement weight and height were measured, blood sugar content and serum lipid were determined and anamnestic particulars were recorded. Groups of topics of the sociological interview: -characteristics of social stratification and mobility -nutritional habits -smoking habits -leisure time physical activity -characteristics of work performed -social connections -critical personality traits -health care culture The 20-64 population of the 17th district is 39,456. Our analysis concerns 1,600 persons selected on a statistical basis. In the present lecture we analyse the connection between social stratification and life style and hypertension. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures are analysed separately as their biological characteristics are different. In our analysis blood pressure was treated as a continuous variable or was classified as normal marginal or high based on WHO criteria.2+ Systolic blood pressure of the surveyed population shown in Table I. Multiple regression or multivariable discriminant analyses were used to examine factors affecting classification into each group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
