Abstract: . . .  the African population. 61 CONCLUSION The information presented in this chapter showsthat hypertension is extremely common in South Africa. Itis inadequately treated and poorly controlled. Italso showsthat data now exist toaddress the problem in the country. However, as was stated by Cooper et al . 62 about the situation of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: The condition is fully treatable, but social conditions in Africa make the implementation of blood pressure control programmes difficult. Lack of a clear strategy based on evidence has undermined these efforts.They also estimated that the reduction in population attributable risk associated with treatment might lead to 2% in Africa compared with 0.15% in the United States.Number needed to treatanalyses showed that the cost of drugs to prevent one death is $1800 in Africa, if the cheaper drugs are used, while it is $14 000 to $1 million in the United States, depending on which drugs are used. These findings lead to the conclusion that the treatment of hypertension should be a health priority in sub-Saharan Africa in general and in South Africa in particular. REFERENCES 1 Seedat, Y.K. Hypertension in black South Africans. J Hum Hypertens 1999;13:96-103. 2 Kaufman JS, Rotimi CN, Brieger WR, Oladokum MA, Kadiri S, Osotimehin BO, et al . The mortality risk associated with hypertension : preliminary results of a prospective study in rural Nigeria. J Hum Hypertens 1996;10:461-464. 3 Department of Health. South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 1998. Full report. Pretoria: Department of Health, 2002. 4 Steyn K, Gaziano TA, . . .
--3000,1,1500,1866,64656