ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension causes morbidity as well as increases mortality either by acting independently or by affecting multiple organ system. Risk factors of hypertension are categorized as modifiable or non-modifiable risk factors. Early identification of these risk factors is not only essential for prediction of hypertension and but also to reduce effect associated with it.Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at field practice area of tertiary care teaching hospital of western Maharashtra. Total 1537 sample sized was achieved using systematic random sampling technique. All the village individuals, both male and female, over 18 years of age were included in the study whereas, pregnant women, extremely debilitated persons and subjects who were not willing to give informed consent were excluded. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection.Results: In present study the prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension was 11.49% (117). On regression analysis risk factors like age, BMI, high salt intake, family history of blood pressure etc., were found to be associated with hypertension.Conclusions: The present study showed a higher prevalence of both hypertension among the rural population and risk factors such as age, obesity, elite social class, high salt intake, family history of blood pressure were the predictors of the hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Zinc is an essential element whose significance to health is increasingly appreciated. In 1961 essentiality of zinc for humans was recognized. A systematic literature search was done to identify relevant studies investigating the role of zinc in human health. This review concerns the importance of zinc in health and the consequences of its deficiency. Zinc deficiency leads to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, low birth weight and poor growth in childhood, reduced immunocompetence, and increased infectious disease morbidity. Pregnant women with zinc deficiency are at risk of premature labour and miscarriages, inefficient labour and delivery, stillbirths, lower mental ability of the child, retarded foetal growth and low immunity of both mother and baby. Zinc can reduce the duration, severity and incidence of diarrhoea in children. Zinc deficiency was indicated as a risk factor for immune deficiency and susceptibility to infection in the elderly. Zinc is used in preventive trials and treatment of diarrhoea, pneumonia, common cold, respiratory infections and malaria. Sufficient zinc is essential in maintaining immune system function. Supplementation of zinc and with other micronutrients may be beneficial during periods of greatest vulnerability such as early childhood, pregnancy and elderly. Ensuring adequate levels of zinc intake should be a key component in efforts to reduce illness.