title: Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension in a Rural Community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few epidemiological studies on prevalence of hypertension and its determinants in rural population. This cross sectional study was done to determine the same in a rural community.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 406 people (218 men and 188 women) of 30 years and above was selected from a rural area. The pre tested proforma was used to collect the data by trained doctors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of smoking and tobacco use was 16%, alcohol intake 9.4 %, daily salt intake (≥ 5 gram) 34.2%, daily saturated fat intake (≥ 10 % of daily energy intake) 47 .0 % and physical inactivity (work and leisure) as 18.5%. Body Mass Index (BMI) was ≥ 25 in 18 % and ≥ 30 in 3.2% men and women. Prevalence of truncal obesity (Waist Hip Ratio: men ≥ 0.9; women ≥ 0.8) was 8.5% with higher incidence in men. Prevalence of abdominal obesity (men ≥ 102 cms; women ≥ 88 cms) was found in 15.7 % with higher incidence in men. Differences in prevalence of risk factors between men and women were statistically significant in case of smoking, alcohol consumption and abdominal obesity. 18.5% men and women were suffering from systolic hypertension (≥ 140 mg Hg) and 15 % from diastolic hypertension (≥ 90 mg Hg). Prevalence of risk factors for hypertension was significantly more among subjects suffering from systolic and diastolic hypertension than normotensive subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of systolic hypertension in rural community was 18.5 % and of diastolic hypertension 15% with higher prevalence in the age group of 60 years and above, in case of men and women. There was a significant linear trend in prevalence of systolic hypertension with respect to age group in men whereas it was not significant in case of women.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head of Department, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhalwar
authors.affiliation: Scientist E, Department of Community Medicine (PSM), Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Basannar
keywords: Determinants; Hypertension; Prevalence; Rural community