Prevalence and Associated Factor with Hypertension among Elderly Population of Durgathali Rural Municipality of Bajhang District of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Old age is not a disease in itself, but the elderly public are vulnerable to long term diseases of insidious onset like hypertension. Hypertension is a cardiovascular disorder rapidly emerging as a major public health problem in developing countries and is the most widely recognized modifiable risk factor. The main objectives of the study were to determine prevalence of hypertension among old age population and to study the factors affecting the hypertension. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Bajhang district of Nepal. The study participants were old age group population with age more than or equal to 60 completed years. A sample size of 247 was obtained using simple random sampling and proportionate sampling method. There are seven wards in Durgathali rural municipality among them four wards (ward number 1,2,7,4) selected for study by using lottery method. From four selected ward 247 respondent will be selected proportionately. Findings: Prevalence of hypertension was 36%, significantly higher in age group more than 80 years (50%) and males (48.6%) than female. Hypertension was significantly associated with smoking and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption habit. Overweight and high waist and hip circumference ration were significantly affecting hypertension.