Prevalence And Rick Factors Hypertension In Rural Communities
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Hypertension remains one of the highest risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the world and its rates are increasing in rural areas. Basic access to health care, change in diet and general low health literacy contribute to this situation. On this account, it is important to establish the number of cases and associated factors among rural populace to help strategize on how best to deal with these populations who are often neglected in policy formulations of various political regimes.
Objectives: to determine the prevalence of hypertension in a rural community and evaluate its association with demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors
Study design: A cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of study: Community Medicine Department Saidu Medical College from jan 2023 to jan 2024
Methods
The study was a cross-sectional descriptive Study which targeted fifty patients from rural areas of practice. There were clinical assessments of blood pressure, and socio demographic characteristics as well as lifestyle factors. Descriptive analysis of mean age and standard deviation and inferential analysis of risk factors for the chosen level of investigations were done by using a risk ratio at 5% significance level.
Results
There were 50 patients in the study with the mean age of 52.4 (Standard Deviation = 10.8. After adjusting for age, gender, BMI and smoking status, other outcomes were obtained and among them, prevalence of hypertension was 58%. Hypertensive patients experienced high salt intake (p = 0.03), physical inactivity (p = 0.01), and age older than 40 years (p = 0.02).
Conclusion
A general analysis showed that hypertension is also a major problem among rural dwellers due to modifiable precondition such as their diet and lack of exercise. Screening and aspirational preventive measures are required to reduce its effects in these populations.