PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG ADULTS IN A RURAL COMMUNITY OF VADODARA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: According to the World health organization, Hypertension or high blood pressure is a leading health concern today causing premature mortality and long-term health issues globally. It is mostly linked to urban populations but the disease is now also being seen in rural parts of India, which further worsens the situation as the region has limited healthcare facilities and lesser awareness about this chronic illness.

Objectives: The primary purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of the disease and identify the risk factors that could be associated with the conditions in adults living in Piparia village of Vadodara district.

Methodology: This cross-sectional community study was carried out in Piparia village Waghodia Taluka in the district of Vadodara. The participants included all the adults of 18 years and above who were permanent residents of the ward. Through systematic random sampling of households, we selected one adult per household using the last birthday method until we reached the target sample size of 318. Data was gathered through a pretested structured questionnaire which included the socio demographic and lifestyle information, medical history, blood pressure readings obtained through a digital sphygmomanometer, height measurements from stadiometer, weight ascertained from digital weighing scale, waist circumference using non-stretchable tape, and Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140 mmHg systolic or ≥90 mmHg diastolic. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05) were used to analyse the data. Ethical approval was obtained from the Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Institutional Ethical Committee.

Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension among the 318 adult participants was 20.4% (95% CI: 16.1 - 24.7). Prevalence significantly increased with age. Logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (AOR 1.03, p=0.002), no formal education (AOR 2.80, p=0.023), physical inactivity (AOR 1.85, p=0.008), high estimated salt intake (AOR 2.20, p=0.001), current tobacco use (AOR 1.65, p=0.049), being overweight (AOR 1.70, p=0.042), obesity (AOR 2.50, p=0.011), and abdominal obesity (AOR 1.95, p=0.015) were significantly associated with hypertension.

Conclusion: This study confirms a significant burden of hypertension (20.4%) in this rural Vadodara community, comparable to other rural Indian settings. Key associated factors include increasing age, lower education level, physical inactivity, high salt intake, tobacco use, and excess body weight. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted community-based screening, health education, and management programs to address hypertension and its modifiable risk factors in similar rural populations.