~ 10 ~ International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine 2019; 2(2): 10-16 E-ISSN: 2616-3594 P-ISSN: 2616-3586 IJACM 2019; 2(2): 10-16 Received: 07-03-2019 Accepted: 09-04-2019 Vani Srinivas Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala, India Nimisha Nadh III-Year, MBBS Students, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala, India Nimitha Tharakan III-Year, MBBS Students, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala, India Nihla III-Year, MBBS Students, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala, India Gopika GK III-Year, MBBS Students, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala, India Rizwana III-Year, MBBS Students, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala, India Correspondence Vani Srinivas Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala, India A community-based study on the prevalence of hypertension among adults in rural Kerala Vani Srinivas, Nimisha Nadh, Nimitha Tharakan, Nihla, Gopika GK and Rizwana DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/comed.2019.v2.i2a.03 Abstract Background & objectives: Hypertension is a disorder that has no apparent symptoms but later results in serious health problems can pose great threat to the health of people. Hypertension is a global public health problem. Even though it can be controlled by early diagnosis, lifestyle modifications and adequate treatment; many remain unaware of their hypertension, especially in rural areas where not many studies have been done. Thus, a study was done in rural area, with primary objective to determine the prevalence, and risk factors of hypertension. The secondary objective was to understand the treatment seeking behaviour of known hypertensive cases among adults in rural areas. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted from July 2017 to September 2018 among adults above 25 years of age in the rural areas of Palakkad, Kerala, India. The blood pressures (BPs) of 278 adults were recorded at their homes. A detailed history was obtained by interviewing study participants using a pretested and semi-structured questionnaire. Clinical examination was done, BP, height and weight were recorded. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using (SPSS) statistical software version 16.0. Results: Out of 278 participants in this study, 191 (68.7%) were women and 87 (32.3%) were men. The prevalence of hypertension was 54%, of which 80 (53.33%) were previously diagnosed hypertensive cases and 70 (46.66%) were newly diagnosed hypertensive cases. Among the 80 previously diagnosed cases 67 (85.9%) were on regular medication, 11 (14.1%) did not adhere to medication schedule and 2 (2.5%) were prescribed any antihypertensive medication. In univariant analysis, the significant risk factors for hypertension were found to be age, diet, cigarette smoking, diabetes and family history of hypertension. Conclusion: This means that Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) control programme should focus on early screening, correct treatment and control of hypertension in rural areas along with education on lifestyle changes, diet modifications, counselling on adherence to antihypertensive medications, frequent blood pressure check-ups for individuals with prehypertension. Keywords: Hypertension, prevalence, rural, Kerala Introduction Globally, the overall prevalence of raised blood pressure in adults aged 25 and over was around 40% in 2008. The proportion of the world’s population with high blood pressure, or uncontrolled hypertension, fell modestly between 1980 and 2008. However, because of population growth and ageing, the number of people with hypertension rose from 600 million in 1980 to nearly 1 billion in 2008. Worldwide, raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths, about 12.8% of the total of all annual deaths. This accounts for 57 million DALYs or 3.7% of total DALYs. Raised blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and ischaemic as well as haemorrhagic stroke. Blood pressure levels have been shown to be positively and progressively related to the risk for stroke and coronary heart disease. In some age groups, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles for each incremental increase of 20/10 mmHg of blood pressure, starting as low as 115/75 mmHg. In addition to coronary heart diseases and stroke, complications of raised blood pressure include heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, renal impairment, retinal haemorrhage and visual impairment. Treating systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure so they are below 140/90 mmHg is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular complications.