Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in an un-industrialised rural population of North India

Recent studies have indicated a rising prevalence of hypertension in rural and urban areas of India. A population-based survey was carried out during 1994-1995 in seven rural and non-industrialised villages around RaipurRani block in the state of Haryana, India, to determine the prevalence of hypert ension and its associated risk factors. A total of 2559 individuals (86% of the eligible population) in the 16 to 70-year age group were interviewed u sing a pre-tested structured questionnaire to find out the lifestyle charac teristics. Three blood pressure (BP) readings were recorded with a random z ero sphygmomanometer at three different times. One hundred and fourteen ind ividuals (4.5%) were found to be hypertensive according to JNC V criteria ( BP of greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg). Mean systolic and diastolic B Ps were 116.9 and 71.7 mm Hg in males and 119.1 and 72.7 mm Hg in female su bjects respectively (P < 0.001). Females had significantly higher prevalenc e of hypertension than males (5.8% vs 3.0%, P < 0.05). Mean age of hyperten sives (50.3 +/- 13.5 years) was higher than normotensives (34.9 +/- 14.5 ye ars, P < 0.001). The prevalence of various risk factors among hypertensives as compared to normotensives were alcohol consumption (43.2% vs 23.1%, onl y among males, P < 0.001), higher economic status (P < 0.001) and smoking ( 43% vs 41.5%, P > 0.05). In addition hypertensives had higher mean weight ( 53.8 kg vs 48.4 kg, P < 0.001) and higher body mass index (21.5 vs 18.9 kg/ m(2), P < 0.001). Analysis showed that advancing age, sedentary lifestyle, higher alcohol consumption and higher body mass index are the risk factors for hypertension in the rural un-industrialised population of India.