NFHS-5 J&k Hypertension data

Background: Hypertension is one of the major risk factor of cardiovascular disease throughout the world as well as in India. Studies in Jammu reported prevalence of 57.83% while in Kashmir prevalence was 41.1%. Scanty information is available from this region on the risk factors of hypertension. Methods: National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data of 2019-20 was used to estimate the gender specific prevalence of hypertension and associated socio-demographic, behavioral and anthropometric risk factors in the population aged 15-54 years in UT of J&K. A total of 15606 females and 2068 males whose blood pressure was measured were included in the final analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between hypertension and socio-demographic, behavioral and anthropometric risk factors for men and women. Findings: The overall prevalence of hypertension among sampled males and females was 15.7% and 15.8% respectively. The prevalence of hypertension increased with increase in the age. It was also high among illiterate women (22.8%), men belonging to richest quintile (18.0%), and engaged in agriculture work (18.8%). The prevalence of hypertension was higher among cigarette smokers, those drinking alcohol, and suffering from diabetes. The odds ratio from logistic regression analysis between the hypertension and socio-demographic, behavioral and anthropometric risk factors also showed various statistically significant correlations. Conclusions: The study will provide ground stone for tracking changes in the burden of hypertension and focus on formulating robust and effective health care programs for control of hypertension and need for taking high level research on hypertension control.