Prevalence of hypertension among young adults in a Jaipur district of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Background: Young adults are failed to observe in studies on impact of high blood pressure as they are esteemed to be at a low risk of developing the complication or disease. Study of disease prevalence and their relation with life style habits provide the information required to develop interventional strategies. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among young adults in Jaipur district, Rajasthan and to study the impact of life style habits like tobacco use and alcohol consumption on hypertension.Methods: Data were collected from 390 college students aged 18 years and older in selected degree college by a cross-sectional survey. Blood pressure recordings, anthropometric measurements as well as socio-demographic characteristics were collected.Results: High blood pressure was observed in 152 out of the 390 students (38.97%), of which the 20 (5.13%) are hypertensive, majority were newly diagnosed (65%). Prevalence of high blood pressure among male students was higher (40.29% compared to 37.5% among female students). Out of total 33.85% and 5.12 % of the students were found to pre-hypertensive and hypertensive respectively. Prevalence of hypertension was found higher among those with a history of smoking or alcohol consumption.Conclusions: Majority of students with high blood pressure (hypertensive stage) were previously undiagnosed. A large number of students were in pre-hypertensive stage. Their early identification and right intervention at right time will lessen the impact of high blood pressure in productive age.