Hypertension: Prevalence and its Associated Factors in a Rural South Indian Population

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. It has been predicted that most of the increase in the cardiovascular diseases will be occurring in the developing countries. Hypertension is not only the main factor involved in the pathogenesis cardiovascular diseases, but also a disease by itself with own risk factors and complications. Hence epidemiological studies for understanding the burden of hypertension are of vital importance.

i) to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among adults in a rural area of Mysore district. ii) To identify the factors associated with hypertension.

1423 individuals aged above 18 years were interviewed to collect information about their socio-demographic characteristics, risk profile and measurements of blood pressure, height and weight.

Prevalence rate and chi square analysis, for each factor was performed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with hypertension.

Overall prevalence of hypertension was 14.96% (95% CI: 14.02%-15.91%), (213/1423). Highest prevalence (47.6%) was noted among individuals aged more than 60 years and the lowest (0.4%) was in 18–24 year age group. Increasing age, higher BMI, history of diabetes and sedentary lifestyle, were identified as independent risk factors for hypertension among the rural population of Mysore.

Rural population of Mysore which is in economic transition is burdened with non communicable diseases like hypertension. An effective screening program and specific health promotion are needed to control and curtail the same.