A Descriptive Study on Prevalence of Risk Factors for Hypertension among Women in Rural Area of Andhra Pradesh

Hypertension becoming common health problem worldwide because of increasing longevity and
prevalence of contributing factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet.
Hypertension is a chronic condition of concern due to its role in the causation of coronary heart
disease, stroke and other vascular complications. The study was aimed to study the prevalence of risk
factors for hypertension among women in rural area of South India. A community based crosssectional
study was conducted among 837 women selected from rural area of Andhra Pradesh from
January to June 2008. Out of 837 women, 22.58% were hypertensive. The age specific prevalence of
hypertension was maximum(50.44%) in the age group > 60 yrs. Risk factors such as family h/o HTN,
h/o DM, tobacco use, waist circumference and BMI were significantly associated with hypertension.
Problem of hypertension is increasing among rural women so health education strategies should be
directed towards rural women also.