A Study on Hypertension and its Risk Factors among the Adults of a Rural Population in Tezpur, Assam

Madhurjya Baruah; Ananya Deori; Indadul Hussain Mozumdar

Volume : IX, Issue : VIII, August - 2020

A Study on Hypertension and its Risk Factors among the Adults of a Rural Population in Tezpur, Assam

Madhurjya Baruah, Ananya Deori, Indadul Hussain Mozumdar

Abstract :

Background: Hypertension, a global public health issue, has shown increased prevalence in rural India. Being an iceberg disease, the actual burden of hypertension has often been underestimated. Worldwide, raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths, about 12.8 percent of the total of all deaths. Objective: To find out the prevalence of hypertension and to assess the various factors related to hypertension among the adults of a rural population near Tezpur city. Materials and Methods: This is a community based cross–sectional study carried out in the Tumuki village situated near Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, Assam. House–to–house survey was conducted in the village and a total of 540 participants were included in the study. A predesigned, pretested semi–structured schedule was used to collect necessary information and the respondents were examined for blood pressure, height and weight. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 21.67% (Males–10.55%, Female–11.12%). It was found that 55.55% of hypertensive subjects were current users of tobacco of any type and 10.25% were currently taking alcohol. Among the hypertensive, 30.77% reported of having positive family history and 32.48% reported to be taking extra salt in the diet regularly. From the study it is seen that hypertension is significantly associated with age group, obesity, family history of hypertension, tobacco use and extra salt intake. Conclusion: The high prevalence of hypertension among the adults demands an urgent need for awareness for prevention of further complications and lead a healthy life.