P021 PROPORTION AND GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF HYPERTENSION PATIENTS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN COLOMBIA, 2019-2023

Background and Objectives: A substantial underreporting of hypertension data in Colombia has been documented, with a lack of recent updates. Access to updated data is crucial for planning effective public health interventions in our country. We aimed to determine both the proportion and the geographic distribution of patients with hypertension in Colombia, along with their associated demographic and regional factors Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. Data on the frequency and geographic distribution of individuals diagnosed with hypertension from 2019 to 2023 were collected, along with sociodemographic characteristics like age, gender, and socioeconomic status. These data were extracted from the SISPRO platform based on diagnoses coded according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). Results: During the study period, we identified a hypertension prevalence of 12.86% (6,719,193 individuals) across Colombia. Regionally, Bogotá D.C. and Antioquia reported the highest proportion of hypertension—19.21% (1,290,882 people) and 16.15% (1,085,420 people), respectively. Conversely, the lowest rates were found in Vaupés (0.01%, corresponding to 960 people) and Guainía (0.02%, corresponding to 1,592 people). The prevalence was significantly higher in females (60,80%) compared to males (39,20%). Additionally, the highest prevalence was found among individuals aged 55 to 74, accounting for 69,67% of cases. The highest frequency of diagnosis was noted in the contributory regime (68.95%), with the lowest in displaced persons, irrespective of their insurance status (0.33%). Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension is notably higher in Colombia's major urban centers, while significantly lower in remote regions and among vulnerable populations, suggesting significant underreporting. This underreporting likely results in untreated conditions and increased future health complications. It is imperative to develop strategies to enhance the recording and diagnosis of hypertension in Colombia, particularly in remote and vulnerable groups.