Prevalence and predictors of hypertension among adults of urban Lucknow, India: A community-based study

Background and Objective: Hypertension is an important public health problem in both economically developing and developed countries. In India, recent community surveys have reported that the prevalence of hypertension has risen among urban and rural inhabitants. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of hypertension and to identify the risk factors among adults residing in urban areas of Lucknow.Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional field study involved a survey of 300 respondents, aged 18 years and above using the stratified random sampling and probability proportionate to size technique. A study tool which contained risk factor questionnaire and physical measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure were used to collect the data. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 16. The Chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data.Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 14.67% among urban adults. Hypertension was significantly higher among individuals aged >40 years and those who consumed tobacco products. A higher proportion of the hypertensives belonged to the illiterate category. There was a significant difference in hypertension prevalence in different education classes. Respondents living in overcrowded houses had higher odds of having hypertension than those not experiencing overcrowding.Conclusion: Age, education, and overcrowding were independent risk factors of hypertension. Prevention measures targeting the modifiable risk factors associated with hypertension should be taken.