Prevalence and predictors of prehypertension and hypertension in adult population of rural Southern India-An epidemiological study

Introduction: Hypertension is considered as one of the major health problem worldwide and the most important risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Aims: To estimate the prevalence and the risk factors of prehypertension and hypertension. Methods and Material: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult population of rural area of Chittoor District. WHO STEPS was applied for data collection from 1,742 study participants aged 18 years and above. Chi-square test, Fisher exact, and ANOVA test applied to find out the intragroup and intergroup variable association with raised blood pressure. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in our study was 21.5% [95% CI: (19.6-23.5)] and 42.8% [95% CI: (39.5-46.3)], respectively. Males had higher prevalence when compared to females. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 118.7 +/- 17.6 mmHg and 77.1 +/- 9.7 mmHg, respectively. The odds of being hypertensive was higher among older age group (OR: 3.83), male study participants (OR: 1.83), either widowed or separated (OR: 2.03), unemployed (OR: 1.51), and those who belonged to upper socioeconomic status (OR: 2.01). Those who were overweight (OR: 3.15), obese (OR: 2.55) and having central obesity (OR: 1.74), and also tobacco smokers (OR: 1.53) were having higher odds of hypertension. Significant association was found between hypertension and age, gender, marital status, body mass index, abdominal obesity, tobacco smoking, and physical inactivity. Conclusion: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in this study was found to be high in rural area of Andhra Pradesh. There is a need to develop a community-based program, which would aim at minimizing the risk factors of hypertension.