A Socio-Epidemiological Study Of Hypertension And Its Associated Risk Factors Among Adults (20-60years) In Rural Field Practice Area Of Shri B.M.Patil Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Vijayapur, Karnataka

Abstract

Hypertension is an emerging public health problem due to its high prevalence and association with cardiovascular and overall morbidity and mortality.According to World Health Organization (WHO), by the year 2020 cardiovascular disease will be the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. India is slowly and steadily acquiring the status of the global chronic disease capital. The rise is attributed to stress, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, steep rise in blood sugars, cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet and smoking. Half of the cardiovascular disease related deaths in India occur below 50 years of age. About 25% of the acute myocardial infarction in India occurs below 40 years of age. A rise in the prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors in rural areas has important public health implications, since, two-thirds of India’s one billion population still lives in rural areas.Several surveys have examined the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable disease in urban India, but recent data from rural India is inadequate.Vijayapur is one of the district headquarters in northern Karnataka which is undergoing rapid socioeconomic transition & lifestyle modifications. Data regarding NCDs is very sparse in this area. Hence, the present study intended to find out the prevalence & associated risk factors of hypertension among adults in rural parts of Vijayapur. Objectives: 1. To study the prevalence of hypertension among adults (20-60 years of age). 2. To study the socio-demographic, economic and other factors influencing hypertension among adults (20-60 years of age). xi

Material and methods:After obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee, the study was carried out in the rural field practice area of Shri B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Vijayapur. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling with house as the sampling unit. Informed consent was obtained after informing all the participants about the nature and purpose of the study. Participants were then interviewed using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire and examined. Height was measured by using a measuring tape. Weight was recorded using a standardized weighing machine. Body mass index was then calculated. Participants were seated quietly for at least 5 mins on a chair, with feet on the floor, and arm supported at heart level. Two readings of blood pressure (BP) were taken 5 minutes apart using mercury sphygmomanometer on right arm in the sitting posture.All the instruments used for the study were calibrated before using them each time. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension among the subjects was 4.6%. It was highest among females (6.9%), 41-50 years of age (65%), illiterates (51.6%), lower middle class (64.5%), stress due to aging (80.6%) and health status (41.9%), tobacco users (6.5%) and alcoholics (6.7%) and this was statistically significant (p<0.05). Also, a positive association was found between body mass index (BMI) and hypertension (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hypertension is more prevalent among adults in their fourth decade of life in rural India. This has been found to be influenced by some of the modifiable and non modifiable risk factors due to lifestyle changes. Therefore, it is necessary to create awareness about hypertension and its complications rather than just avoiding the risk factors.