Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disorder accounting for 20–50% of all cardiovascular deaths and it is a major health problem affecting most of the countries in the world.
To find out the socio-demographic correlates and awareness of hypertension in a rural area of India.
A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural field of the Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut. A house to house visit was made to each household selected by systematic random sampling technique and data was collected using a pre-designed and pretested interview and examination schedule. All the members aged ≥20 years from the selected households were included in the study. Hypertension was defined as Systolic BP ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90mmHg or subjects currently taking anti-hypertensive treatment. Data was analyzed in Microsoft excel and Epi Info using percentiles, Chi-square test and Chi-square test for trend.
The overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 18%. A significant association was found between hypertension and increasing age, religion, type of family and marital status.
Prevalence of hypertension is found to be high (18%) so there is a need to create awareness about hypertension in the community.
Hypertension, prevalence, Rural, age
