Abstract

AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF HYPERTENSION IN RURAL AREAS OF AMROHA, UP

Nidhi Tyagi*

ABSTRACT

In developing countries like India the prevalence of non communicable diseases is slowly assuming alarming proportions and Hypertension is the commonest NCD and it accounts for a large proportion of cardiovascular deaths. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of Hypertension in rural areas of Amroha (U.P). To assess the risk factors and its strength of association with Hypertension. To study the treatment seeking behavior in hypertensive. Study period: June 20014 to June 20015. Materials and Methods: A house to house survey was conducted and 81 study subjects 20 years of age and above were screened in a village using a pre tested questionnaire. Two independent BP readings were taken in sitting position by visiting each participant at their home. Hypertension was defined using JNC7 criteria. It defines hypertension as blood pressure more than 140/90 mmHg. Statistical tests: Percentiles, chi square test. Results: Prevalence of Hypertension was 8.06%. There were various risk factors significantly associated with hypertension like age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol, salt intake etc. Conclusion: The overall (85.95%) patient were aware of their disease and only 72% were taking regular treatment.

Keywords: Hypertension, prevalence, risk factors, treatment.