Prevalence of Hypertension Among Adults – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a silent, invisible killer that rarely causes symptoms in the early stages and many people go undiagnosed. Hypertension prevalence is lower in the rural Indian population, although there has been a steady increase over time here as well. In fact, the life patterns of people residing in proximity of cities are atypical in the sense that these are neither rural nor urban. Those who are diagnosed may not have access to treatment and may not be able to control their illness over the long term. Objectives: To the prevalence assess of hypertension and health seeking behaviour among adults. Materials and Method: The present cross sectional study was conducted in the Medicine OPD and Department of Physiology, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna. This study was conducted for a period of 2 years from January 2016 to January 2018. Prevalence of hypertension was assessed by adopting a community based cross sectional research design. Data thus generated was analyzed manually as well as with the help of personal computer in Microsoft Office Excel and Statistical association of different parameters in study subjects were tested by using chi-square. Results: Total 596 people in the age group 15-60 years were examined. 310 were male and 286 were female. In the present study, prevalence of hypertension among study subjects was 21.5%. In male it was 26% while in female it was 17%. The results reveal that only 26.5% were aware of their hypertension status and 73.5% did not know that they are hypertensive.Conclusion: There is an increasing trend of hypertension problem in India in the near future

Key Words: Prevalence, Rural, Awareness, Health Seeking.