Public awareness about hypertension: finding of a kidney day

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of hypertension, its associated life style factors and to explore the level of awareness about hypertension among adult populace attending the kidney day and to formulate the strategies to improve the awareness. A cross sectional study. One day health camp at Sharif Medical City Hospital Lahore 2008 on 13.03.2008. A total of one hundred participants were interviewed. The structured questionnaire was filled at the spot to obtain sociodemographic information after taking verbal informed consent. Height, weight, pulse, blood pressure were recorded. A total of one hundred participants were interviewed. Overall frequency of hypertension in the study population was twenty five percent [25%]. The prevalence of hypertension increased with increasing age and body mass index. Only thirty five percent [35%] could define hypertension and this awareness was significantly associated with educational level. Lack of physical activity, card playing and televisionization was observed in sixty percent of participants while thirty three percent were overweight. Fifty nine percent were using additional salt while seventy percent were having meals and snacks outside. High frequency of hypertension, obesity, lack of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and faulty dietary habits was observed in the study population. Emphasis on health education and use of electronic and print media is recommended to improve the public awareness about the risk factors and consequences of hypertension like stroke, heart attack, kidney failure etc