Determinants and knowledge of hypertension among adult population visited in out-patients department of a tertiary care centre: a cross-sectional study

Hypertension remains a critical public health challenge, affecting over a billion people worldwide, with developing countries like India bearing a disproportionate burden due to limited research and healthcare resources. This study aimed to investigate factors linked to hypertension and awareness levels among adult population. The present study was conducted by using cross-sectional design and, involving a sample of 416 participants who visited the cardiac outpatient department of a tertiary care centre in Jharkhand. Participants > 18 years of age were selected through convenient sampling methods. Data were collected from September to November 2023, via a validated questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. The study found that 33.4% of participants were having hypertension and 40.1% of participants demonstrating inadequate knowledge about the condition. Significant associations were observed between hypertension and family history (AOR = 12.313, 95% CI 9.848–39.751), a non-vegetarian diet (AOR = 1.970, 95% CI 1.022–3.797), cigarette smoking (AOR = 2.224, 95% CI 1.111–5.453), other comorbid conditions (AOR = 9.834, 95% CI 5.145–18.799), and coronary artery disease (AOR = 0.224, 95% CI 1.954–5.348). Additionally, the awareness of hypertension was notably associated with gender, occupation, smoking habits, and the presence of comorbidities. Despite ongoing public health initiatives aimed at reducing hypertension rates, this study reveals a relatively high number of participants with hypertension and limited awareness within this population. These findings underscore the need for enhanced hypertension screening and targeted intervention programs to address this critical issue.