Awareness and Risk Factors Associated with Hypertension in Rural Community

Abstract

High blood pressure is a major public health problem, because it is undetected and uncontrolled. Recent studies have shown that every known person with hypertension there are two persons with either undiagnosed hypertension or prehypertension. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with hypertension and to study the awareness about hypertension. A community-based cross-sectional study among adults aged more than 20 years. A comprehensive pre tested pre structured questionnaire was used. Chi-square test was used as test of significance, co-efficient regression was calculated to check the correlation of variables. There was a strong association of prevalence of hypertension and people's lifestyles also. Smokers were tend to be more hypertensive than non-smokers and the same trend was found between alcoholics and non-alcoholics. In individuals with higher B.M.I., the prevalence of hypertension was also increasing; and those who were physically inactive not doing any exercise, (cycling, walking etc), the prevalence of hypertension was found to be high. Only 49% of the hypertensives were aware of their blood pressure status, and only 25% of them were being treated. There is a continued need for community based education programme for hypertensives, who are unaware of their diagnosis and incorporate such programme into the existing primary health care system.