الفهرس 
INTRODUCTION AIM OF THE WORKOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Hypertension is a common condition and is an important public health problem in all countries of the world (Gross et a!, 1984). Arterial pressure is a quantity and the relationship between arterial pressure and mortality is quantitative; the higher the pressure, the worse the prognosis. Life expectancy in each age group and in each sex decreases as arterial pressure increases (Pickering, 1990).
Hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke, and improved management, and treatment of hypertension has been proposed as the main reason for the recent decline in mortality from stroke, (The Veterans Administration Cooperative Study, 1970; The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial, 1982; Bonita and Beaglahole, 1986).
Numerous epidemiological studies have identified the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the industrialized world (Kannel et al, 1981; Kannel, 1987; WHO MONICA Project, 1969). These risk factors include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking and dietary intake of saturated fats (Weinberger, 1987). Amelioration of these factors, through reduction of elevated blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels can dramatically reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiac diseases (Hypertension Detection and Follow-tip Program Cooperative Group, 1979; Multiple
Risk Factor Intervention Trial Research Group, 1982).
A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence. of hypertension and to describe the associated predisposing environmental factors among rural Egyptians was done. Blood pressure was measured in
2,000 males and females aged 18 years and over.
The people of the sample were selected randomly of different social levels which present in a rural area. 960 persons (50%) were males and 964 (50%) were females.
Environmental questionnaire was performed to get out the prevalence of hypertension and its awareness. Also socio-economic factors were discussed.
Social levels were classified into five levels according to Abramsion classification (1984). Two main occupations of rural males•• were present; farmers 25.1% in the 4th social class and unskilled workers
24.7% in the 5th social class. The latter were mainly workers in hand made clothes industry. However, very few members of the sample were in the first and second social classes.