A study on prevalence of Hypertension and its related risk factors among undergraduate medical students in Kolkata

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major contributor to the global disease burden. It poses an important public health challenge. Even as most studies assess the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors in older adults and the elderly, there is a paucity of such data among teenagers and young adults. Knowledge of the predisposing risk factors is vital in the modification of lifestyle behaviors conducive to optimal cardiovascular health. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out among the undergraduate medical students a Government Medical College in Kolkata. Total sample size for analysis was 850. Students were interviewed using a predesigned and pretested semi structured questionnaire and blood pressure, BMI and WHR was measured. Results: In this study13.88% of the students were hypertensives, while 19.18% were prehypertensives. Significant association (p ≤ 0.05 ) was found with age, place of stay, gender, year of study, BMI, WHR, family history of hypertension, excess salt consumption, junk food intake and physical activity. Conclusion: Hypertension being a silent killer remains asymptomatic until complications like coronary artery disease, stroke, and renal failure develop. Undergraduate medical students are the future health care professionals of any society. So, it is crucial to devise sound prevention and control programs among this cohort of population, to improve their knowledge, attitudes and lifestyle practices early in life, to control hypertension and prevent its subsequent morbidities. Keyword: Hypertension, risk factors, undergraduate medical students