The prevalence of hypertension and its modifiable risk factors among medical students of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Hypertension and associated diseases are currently responsible for large number of deaths in India, and constitute up to 60% of the patients admitted into the medical wards of most tertiary hospitals in India. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of hypertension and its modifiable risk factors among the medical students of a medical college in India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used, with the data collected using a modified form of the WHO STEPS instrument that consists of a questionnaire component and the measurement of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. Study period March-April, 2009. The questionnaire was used to collect information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, the use of tobacco, the consumption of alcohol, the type of diet, and the amount and types of physical activities undertaken. Results: A total of 75 students participated fully in the study, out of an eligible total of 100. They were mostly males (65.33%), unmarried and had an average age of 18.06 ± 2.62 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 21.33%; out of which 12 (75.00%) were already aware of their status, and were on appropriate therapy. Only 13 (17.33%) of the students were of normal weight, 45 (60.00%) were overweight, while 17 (22.67%) were obese. Only 2 (2.67%) currently smoke, while most (94.67%) drank less than three standard units of alcohol in a day, mainly in social occasions. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension among the medical students in the medical school was lower than that in the general population, mainly due to their better health-seeking behavior and healthy lifestyle.
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