Meeting the Diabetes and Hypertension Targets of the National Cardiovascular Program in the Most Rural Region of Chile (2018–2020) ^†

Abstract

Background: The national cardiovascular program includes medical, nursing, and dietetic interventions, which lack evaluation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the accomplishment of diabetes and hypertension targets in users of the national cardiovascular program in the Ñuble region between 2018 and 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on users enrolled in the national cardiovascular health program with T2D and/or HTA in the Ñuble region between 2018 and 2020. To evaluate the association between target goals (glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood pressure) and sociodemographic variables, linear and logistic regression were used. Results: More than 16,000 users were included. Men had higher HbA1c levels than women. Meanwhile, for age, people older than 65 years had lower HbA1c levels; a similar tendency was observed when comparing people older than 80 years. When the comparison was performed for rurality, people living in rural areas had higher HbA1c levels, and these levels were higher among people living in Itata province. This tendency was slightly different among HTA people; men continued to exhibit higher levels of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) through the years, older people had higher levels of SBP, and people living in rural areas had lower levels compared to people living in urban areas. Conclusion: The present study allows us to deliver the first results regarding the operation of the national cardiovascular health program in the Ñuble region, which allows us to determine if the goals of achievement for T2D and HTA have decreased in the period 2018–2020.