ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is the leading cause of death throughout the world. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence, determinants and knowledge & practices about hypertension among rural adults in India. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 major states of India. Information on socio-economic & demographic particulars was collected and anthropometric measurements like height, weight, waist & hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. Foods and nutrient intakes were assessed by 24-h recall method. Analysis was done using SPSS window 22. Results: The prevalence of pre-hypertension was 45.3% (95% CI: 44.6e46.0) and hypertension was 22% (95% CI: 21.5e22.3) (age standardized prevalence; 20.2%) while, overweight/obesity was 22.6% (95% CI: 22.2e23.0) as per Asian cut offs (BMI_x0001_23). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in West Bengal (29.5%) and Kerala (28.9%) and low in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh (16e19%). The odds of hypertension was 1.2 times higher among forward communities, businessmen, tobacco users and those consuming alcohol, 2e3 times higher among overweight (CI: 1.87e2.25) and obese (2.65e3.27). The odds of hypertension was 1.2 times higher among those consuming lower tertile of carbohydrates (CI ¼ 1.02e1.41) and zinc (CI ¼ 1.11e1.42). About 76% were aware of hypertension, 21% were old hypertensive & 19% were on treatment. Conclusions: Age standardized prevalence of hypertension was 20% among adults and was associated with age, occupation, overweight/obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, low intake of carbohydrates and zinc. Therefore, increasing awareness and consumption of healthy diet through behavior change communication will help to control hypertension among adults.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The current study attempted to examine risk perceptions related to safety of various commonly consumed foods and perceived health hazards associated with such risk perceptions among home food preparers. Study Design: A cross-sectional study in urban and rural areas. Study locations were selected purposively but the participants were recruited using stratified random sampling technique. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted in Hyderabad, capital city of the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India and Kothapally Village in Karimnagar District for urban and rural population respectively. The study period was 4 months. Methodology: Considering size and geographical spread, Hyderabad was divided into 3 natural zones and the village was considered as only one zone. From each zone, 30 households were selected (@ 10 each from lower, middle and upper economic strata in order to capture variations in perceptions, if any), making the total sample 120 with 90 from urban and 30 from rural locations respectively. Women, who were directly involved in food preparation were interviewed using a pre-tested, pre-coded questionnaire. Results: This study revealed that infestation and adulteration were perceived as major risks in cereals and pulses. Majority of respondents perceived pesticide residues as risks in vegetables and fruits. About 83% perceived swarming of flies and mosquitoes as the only risk for uncooked non-vegetarian foods like meat and fish. Perceived risks were also linked with food-borne diseases by many of the respondents. We did not find any significant co-relation between income, education or habitat and perceptions related to food risk perception. Conclusions: This study gives an overview of perceived risks related to commonly consumed foods. These results provide cues and set direction for further research to explore if perceived risks match with actual risks or not.