Assessment of the Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors in a Rural Community in Gwalior District, India

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Hypertension affected 38.6% of adults in a rural community in Gwalior district, with significant associations observed for male sex, excess body weight, high salt intake, smoking, alcohol use, and family history.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Hypertension (n=360). Intervention: Rural community residence and associated lifestyle factors. Primary outcome: Prevalence of hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg or current antihypertensive treatment).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Hypertension and pre-hypertension affect over two-thirds of adults in a rural community in Gwalior district, India, and are significantly associated with male sex, overweight/obesity, excess salt intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, and family history. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Bishwajeet Thakur; Kirti Shrivastava; Priyanka Diwan; Amit Agrawal; Avadhesh Diwakar; Jitendra Verma

doi:10.7759/cureus.113238

July 23, 2026CureusOpen Access

Assessment of the Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors in a Rural Community in Gwalior District, India

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Key result

Hypertension affects ~39% of rural adults, driven by lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors.

n=360

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Why the study?

Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with an increasing burden in rural India due to rapid lifestyle and epidemiological transitions.

Key Points

To assess the prevalence of hypertension and identify its associated sociodemographic, dietary, and behavioral risk factors among adults in a rural community.
Conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from May 2023 to April 2024 among 360 adults selected through multistage sampling in Gwalior district, India.
Defined hypertension as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, or current antihypertensive medication use.
Collected sociodemographic, dietary, behavioral, and standardized anthropometric data, analyzing associations using the chi-square test.
Hypertension was identified in 139 (38.6%) participants (stage 1 in 100 [27.8%] and stage 2 in 39 [10.8%]), while pre-hypertension was present in 106 (29.4%) and normal blood pressure in 115 (31.9%).
Overweight affected 119 (33.1%) and obesity affected 65 (18.1%) participants, with increased waist circumference observed in 162 (45.0%) and increased waist-to-hip ratio in 157 (43.6%).
Hypertension categories were significantly associated with sex (χ² = 8.77, p = 0.032), body mass index (χ² = 73.7, p < 0.001), extra salt intake (χ² = 37.9, p < 0.001), smoking (χ² = 21.0, p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (χ² = 26.0, p < 0.001), and family history of hypertension (χ² = 41.3, p < 0.001).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=360)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P

Population

360 adults aged 18 to 80 years residing in rural Gwalior district, India, assessed for the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors.

O

Outcome

Prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors

Hypertension and pre-hypertension affect over two-thirds of adults in rural Gwalior, highlighting a significant and growing burden of cardiovascular risk factors in rural India.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design precludes establishing temporal or causal relationships.
Conducted in selected rural areas of Gwalior district, limiting generalizability to other geographic regions or urban populations.
Self-reported lifestyle variables are subject to recall and social desirability bias.
Blood pressure measurements were obtained during a single visit, making it possible that transient fluctuations or the white-coat effect influenced classification.
Potential selection bias because participants were recruited from selected households.
Only bivariate analysis was performed, so potential confounding factors were not adjusted for.
Absence of biochemical investigations and detailed dietary assessments.
Preferential inclusion of household heads and spouses may have introduced some selection bias

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Implication

High rural prevalence signals screening needs; leaves open whether identified factors drive incidence without longitudinal data.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major non-communicable disease and a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Its burden is increasing in rural India due to rapid lifestyle and epidemiological transitions. Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors among adults in a rural community in Gwalior district. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to April 2024 among 360 adults selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic, dietary, and behavioral factors. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were recorded using standard procedures. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg or current antihypertensive treatment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Results: Among 360 participants, 152 (42.2%) were aged 36-50 years and 180 (50.0%) were male. Hypertension was present in 139 (38.6%) participants, including stage 1 hypertension in 100 (27.8%) and stage 2 hypertension in 39 (10.8%). Pre-hypertension was observed in 106 (29.4%), while 115 (31.9%) had normal blood pressure. Overweight and obesity were found in 119 (33.1%) and 65 (18.1%) participants, respectively. Increased waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were observed in 162 (45.0%) and 157 (43.6%) participants, respectively. Extra salt intake was reported by 212 (58.9%), smoking by 99 (27.5%), alcohol consumption by 106 (29.4%), and smokeless tobacco use by 120 (33.3%) participants. Significant associations were found between hypertension and male sex, overweight/obesity, excess salt intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, and family history of hypertension (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Hypertension and pre-hypertension affected over two-thirds of the study population. Targeted screening, lifestyle modification, dietary interventions, and strengthened primary healthcare services are needed for early detection and prevention of hypertension.

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Cite This Study

Thakur et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=360). Rural community residence and associated lifestyle factors was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg or current antihypertensive treatment). Hypertension affected 38.6% of adults in a rural community in Gwalior district, with significant associations observed for male sex, excess body weight, high salt intake, smoking, alcohol use, and family history.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a65a337d3aea3239cd765f0 https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.113238

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Assessment of the Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors in a Rural Community in Gwalior District, India

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Assessment of the Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors in a Rural Community in Gwalior District, India

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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