Hypertension and its Underlying Socioeconomic Factors among People in Rural Area, Nain Sukh

Abstract

Background and Objective: Hypertension is a major health concern worldwide and is showing an alarming increase in prevalence. In Pakistan, there is limited community-based research on its prevalence and control. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension and assess the relationship between hypertension and life style of people in the defined population of village of Nain Sukh, Punjab-Pakistan.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Community Health Sciences, FMH College of Medicine & Dentistry, after an ethical approval. In this study, 190 individuals of both genders, aged 40 and above were examined. The weights and heights of the patients and two readings of blood pressure at 15 minutes interval were recorded in relevant proformas. Information regarding their socioeconomic profile and lifestyle was also obtained through a structured questionnaire.Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used to analyze data hence taking P-value ≤ 0.05 as significant.Result: Among N = 190 individuals, 34.7% were males and 65.3% were females. Prevalence of hypertension was found to be 44.2%. Out of these, 40% were known hypertensive and the disease was controlled in only 34%. The disease is more prevalent in males than females (P = 0.012). A total of 73.8% of housewives had high blood pressure values (P = 0.031). Families having more than 5 family members also showed greater prevalence of hypertension (P = 0.007).Conclusion: In rural settings, there are more cases of high blood pressure common among males of the community. There is major role of psychosocial factors such as stress of larger family size, sedentary lifestyle of females (housewives) in development of hypertension. These factors should be considered important along with other dietary and lifestyle factors.