A SOCIO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF HYPERTENSION AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG ADULTS (20-60 YEARS) IN RURAL NORTH KARNATAKA.

Introduction: Hypertension is an emerging public health problem in rural India due to its high prevalence and association with cardiovascular and overall morbidity and mortality. Two-thirds of India's one billion population still lives in rural areas with very sparse data regarding non-communicable diseases. Hence, the present study intended to find out the prevalence & associated risk factors of hypertension among adults in rural parts of Vijayapur. Objectives: To study the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors among adults (20-60 years of age). Material and Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee, the study was carried out in rural Vijayapur. Participants were then interviewed using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire and general physical examination was done. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 4.6%. It was highest among females (6.9%), 41-50 years of age (65%), illiterates (51.6%), lower middle class (64.5%), stress due to aging (80.6%), tobacco users (6.5%) and alcoholics (6.7%). Also, a positive association was found between body mass index (BMI) and hypertension (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hypertension is more prevalent among adults in their fourth decade of life in rural India. This has been found to be influenced by some of the modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors due to lifestyle changes. Therefore, it is necessary to create awareness about hypertension and its complications rather than just avoiding the risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]