PS 15-15 HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Objective: To know practices for hypertension prevention and control and related factors in the rural areas of Delhi. Design and Method: A community based study was conducted in two village areas in Delhi. A total of 1005 subjects were selected using systematic random sampling method. Study population was constituted by all people above 18 years of age residing in the two areas. Self reported history of hypertension was asked. Blood pressure was measured of all participants using standard procedure. Data was collected for prevalent practices of participants for prevention of hypertension. Those who were known cases of hypertension, data were collected about treatment seeking, compliance and practices for self management. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Appropriate statistical tests were used and P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. The prior ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. Results: Out of 1005 subjects, 504 (50.1%) participants reported that they got their blood pressure levels checked in past one year. 68 (6.8%) were known cases of hypertension in study population. Out of 68 known cases of hypertension, 52 (76.4%) used to follow less salt diet for hypertension management. Only 37 (54.4%) were taking allopathic medication for hypertension. Out of these 37, only 31 participants reported taking medications regularly. 74 (7.3%) subjects were newly diagnosed for hypertension during study, i.e., 14.12% (68+74) of the total population had hypertension. When asked about preventive practices followed for hypertension, out of 1005 participants, 46 (4.5%) reported that they take measures to control weight, 40 (3.9%) for smoking cessation and 25 (2.4%) said they do exercise. Conclusions: More than half of Hypertensives were not aware of their disease status and small proportions were doing preventive practices. Therefore community needs to be made aware of symptomatology, regular checkups, preventive and control measures of hypertension.