A cross sectional study of epidemiological determinants correlated with prevalence of hypertension among municipal school teachers located in suburban area

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major long-term health condition and is the leading cause of premature deaths among persons experiencing sedentary urban life style behaviors such as high calorie diet, lack of physical exercise and job stress. The objectives of the present study was to determine prevalence & various risk factors of hypertension among municipal school teachers in an urban slum.  Methods:The study area was a field practice area of tertiary care hospital in a metropolitan city. Municipal school teachers from suburban slums were the study participants. Teachers above 35 years of age and want to participate in study were included. The total sample size obtained was 220.Results: 40% of the teachers were belonged to 35-40 years of age group. 70.9% of the study participants were women. Among 220 teachers 36.4% were having normal blood pressure. 43.6% teachers were in the pre- hypertension stage, while 14.5% and 5.5% were in stage- 1 and stage- 2 hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 20%. In present study it was found that as the age advances chances of contracting hypertension also increases [P=0.006]. Statistically significant relation between obesity and hypertension is seen [P=0.007]. There was a significant relation between physical activity and prevalence of hypertension [P = 0.021].Conclusions:Increasing age, obesity and sedentary lifestyle are proportionally related to the development of hypertension which was statistically significant.