CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN NORTHEAST INDIA INDIGENOUS POPULATION

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Northeast India Indigenous Population. Design and method: A cross-sectional sample of 615 adults from 5 rural villages of the Churachandpur sub-division was collected. A similar sample size of 592 urban adults (aged 18-70 years) was collected from the Imphal East and Imphal West. Data on behavioural characteristics, height, weight, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were collected using standardized schedules, instruments and techniques. Results: The cardiovascular risk factors in the present study are alarming. Hypertension accounts for 21 %. It is significantly higher in urban (24.70%) than in rural areas (17.40%). The prevalence of overweight/obesity is about 24% in rural areas and 40% in urban areas according to the WHO international cut-off points (1995). It is further observed that the proportion of overweight individuals is higher if we use the WHO cut-offs recommended for the Asia Pacific region (WHO, 2000). About 73% of males and 71.24% of females in urban areas consume junk food. In both sexes, junk food consumption is higher in urban areas compared to rural areas. About 82% of males and 83% of females in rural areas consume tobacco. In urban areas, about 78% of males and 71% of females consume tobacco. About 28.32% of males and 9.80% of females are physically inactive in urban areas. This shows that males are more physically inactive than females in both settings. Also, in both sexes, rural areas have a higher proportion of physically inactive individuals compared to their urban counterparts. Conclusions: The cardiovascular disease epidemic is a particular cause of concern in India, including the fast pace of increasing incidence, the early age of disease onset in the population, and the high morbidity and mortality rate. Hypertension and unhealthy behaviour are the major cardiovascular risk factors, which pose a major public health challenge to the individual and population in an epidemiological transition. This is also evident in the present study which will predispose the indigenous Northeast India population to cardiovascular risk factors, both in the urban and rural settings.