Prevalence of Hypertension among Economically Productive Tribal Population in Tamilnadu

Abstract

Background: According to world health organization, cardio vascular diseases are considered as major public health problem among all non-communicable disease. Current study aimed to study the prevalence of hypertension among economically productive tribal population in Tamil Nadu. Rationale: although several studies have been carried among different population on non-communicable disease, very few studies conducted among tribal population in India. Materials and Method: A community based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among economically productive tribal population in Tamil Nadu. Complete enumeration survey method were used to obtain the study subjects. 89 study subjects aged 30 years and above were selected as a sample. Anthropometry, and blood pressure were measured with standard instruments. Descriptive and Chi square analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: operational definition of hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ?140mmHg, and/or diastolic blood pressure ?90mmHg and/or use of antihypertensive drugs. Overall prevalence of hypertension among tribes of Tamil Nadu was found to be 16.5 % and 35 % of them were male 65 % of the study participants were female. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension is high, hence there is need for primordial prevention efforts on large scale. Prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension number is high in India and this indicate there is need for regular screening.