Prevalence of Hypertension in the Rural Community of Central Maharashtra, India

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the commonest risk factor for cardiovascular disorder and though it is preventable diseases by very easy means like avoidance of risk factors and regular blood pressure screening and treatment but still very neglected. There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of hypertension in rural India and this study was done to determine the same amongst rural population in the field practice area of S.R.T.R. Medical College, Ambajogai,Beed, India OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of hypertension among adults of the rural community and to classify them according to the classification given by JNC7. Study design: community based cross sectional study. Study area: Village Chanai, the field practice area of Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, S.R.T.R. Medical College, Ambajogai, Beed, Maharashtra, India Study population: whole the population of village Chanai i.e.2235 aged 18 years and above was screened by house to house survey for hypertension. 39 subjects were excluded according to exclusion criteria and finally 2196 study subjects were included in the study. Inclusion Criteria: All population of selected village above 18 years of age. Exclusion Criteria: 1. All pregnant women, 2. Subjects who were not willing for the interview or examination. Two readings of blood pressure were taken 3 minutes apart and the average was noted with standardized mercury sphygmomanometer throughout the study. OBSERVATIONS: Overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 12.75% and it increased significantly with the age. Sexwise prevalence was slightly higher in males i.e.13.10% whereas it was 12.52% in females and it also increased in both sexes with age. Most of the cases of hypertension i.e.55.71% belonged to stage II of hypertension in both male and female. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Prevalence of hypertension in village Chanai rose by double in merely seven years i.e. from 5.92% to 12.75%. Most of the patients had first time exposed to the blood pressure recording procedure during the study and diagnosed as hypertensive indicating the lack of awareness about warning symptoms, risk factors, importance of BP screening and ideal time of BP screening. So there is a need for strengthening health & nutritional education programs promoting hypertension awareness, and emphasizing preventive measures. Multipurpose health workers can be trained for detection and monitoring of hypertension. Community interventional programs targeting the 1st degree blood relatives of the cases of hypertension should be given priority.