Original Research Article
Year: 2014 | Month: January | Volume: 4 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 130-139
Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Correlates among Adult Tribal Population (≥20 Years) of Maharashtra State, India
Meshram I. I.1*, Laxmaiah A.2, Mallikharjun Rao K.1, Arlappa N.1, Balkrishna N.1, Ch. Gal Reddy3, Ravindranath M.4, Sharad Kumar 4, Brahmam G.N.V.5
1Scientist ‘D’, 2Scientist ‘F’, 3Scientist ‘B’, 4Technical Officers, 5Ex-Scientist ‘F’
Division of Community Studies, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad.
*Corresponding Author: Meshram I. I.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is an important public health problem in developed and developing countries including India. Increasing prevalence of hypertension among rural/tribal population is a concern for India. Therefore the study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and its correlates among the adult tribal population, Maharashtra State.
Materials & Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out, during April 2007 to March 2009, in tribal areas of Maharashtra, covering a total of 4,348 adults of ≥ 20 years of age. Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was done to study association between hypertension and various socio-demographic, behavioral factors and overweight/obesity.
Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 23% and was significantly higher among men (28%, CI=26-29.9) as compared to women (19%, CI=17.4-20.6). Regression analysis showed that the risk of hypertension was 1.5 times among those engaged in service/business (CI=1.02-2.40) and among housewives (CI=1.17-2.21). Overweight/obesity and central obesity had 2 times higher risk of hypertension (BMI ≥23, CI=1.38-2.60), (OR for Central obesity 1.68, CI=1.19-2.38). Alcohol consumption and tobacco snuffing was significantly (p<0.01) associated with risk of hypertension.
Conclusions: Prevalence of hypertension is a major public health problem among tribal population and appropriate intervention strategies are needed for prevention and control of hypertension such as increasing awareness, promoting physical activity by reducing overweight/obesity and change in risk behaviour.
Key words: Hypertension, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Obesity, Tribal adult.