ABSTRACT
Background: Yoga and meditation hold promise as a non-pharmacological management of hypertension as they have shown to lower blood pressure. This study aimed at (1) assessing the awareness about benefits of yoga and meditation in hypertension among patients and finding its socio-demographic correlates, (2) estimating the practice of yoga and meditation in hypertensives, its pattern and impact on blood pressure control.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 hypertensive patients. Statistical association was tested with chi square and independent t tests.Results: It was observed that only 9% respondents were aware of the benefits of yoga and meditation in hypertension while 12.8% practised the same. On probing it was found that these 3.8% practised yoga and meditation only because their physician had advised them to do so without even knowing their benefits. This points out the importance of physician advice which can be even more effective if pros and cons are properly explained. People who were aware of the benefits were 51.9 times more likely to practise them (p<0.001). Highly significant association was observed between awareness regarding lifestyle modifications like yoga and meditation and gender, socioeconomic status, education and locality (urban non-slum/urban slum/rural).Conclusions: The complementary use of non-pharmacological treatment or lifestyle modifications like yoga and meditation can go a long way to lower blood pressure and such options need to be provided by the health care providers and the gap in awareness elicited in our study needs to be addressed.
ABSTRACT
Introduction :Non-communicable Disease, are on rise in our country and mean age of incidence is comparative-10 to 20 years lower in India as against western countries. Same holds true for Hypertension. Despite decades of public health education, hypertension awareness remains problematic, with only about two-thirds of adults and the elderly aware of their hypertension status and known differences between men and women. Aims & objectives :To assess prevalence of Hypertension and associated factors. Method :A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 women of reproductive age group women of Jamnagar district. Results :There was even distribution in almost all Age groups of reproductive age group women except for 15-19 years and 40-44 years. Mean systolic Blood pressure was 124.84±13.616 mm of Hg with range of 98- 162 mm of Hg. On diastolic blood pressure measurements, mean value was 77.14±9.574 mm of hg with range of 52- 98 mm of Hg. Conclusion : The prevalence of HT in present study was 20.44%. 55.33% fallen on in pre hypertensive stage. There was significant association between various risk factors & occurrence of HT