Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Rising prevalence of hypertension is a major public health challenge in India especially in Kerala. This cross sectional study was done to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its determinants in a rural population of Kottayam, Kerala. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Community based cross sectional study was carried out among 400 adults aged 30 years and above in a randomly selected ward of Ettumanoor panchayath, which is the field practice area of Govt. Medical college, Kottayam. A pretested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding socio demographic and behavioral factors. Standardized sphygmomanometric blood pressure measurement was taken by trained team members twice for each individual and the average of the two was taken as blood pressure. Anthropometric measurements were also done. A systolic blood pressure of ≥140mm of Hg and or diastolic BP≥90mm of Hg was regarded as hypertension. Data analysis was done using the software Epi-info version 3.4.3. Chi square test revealed the association between hypertension (dependent variable) and other socio demographic and behavioural factors (independent variable). A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. All the significant variables are included in the binary logistic regression to find out Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 35% (males-33.8% females -35.6%). The variables which evolved as significant and remained so in binary logistic regression analysis were single status after marriage/ unmarried (AOR-2.45 95% CI 1.38-4.38), low educational status (AOR- 2.31, 95%CI-1.46-3.64), family history of hypertension (AOR-1.85 95%CI-1.2-2.85) and trunkal obesity in females (AOR-2.41 95%CI-1.37-4.24) CONCLUSION: The present study revealed the prevalence (35%) and risk factors for hypertension in the study area. The results of the study can be used to develop messages to make the people aware of the problem of hypertension and its determinants and also the need for early diagnosis.
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