Prehypertension, its prevalence and risk factors among young adult (25-44 years) Bank Employees of a city in coastal district of Andhra Pradesh-A cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction: Hypertension is a rapidly emerging modifiable lifestyle disease and is often called as the silent killer. Owing to a steady increase in the prevalence it is of public health concern. Hypertension typically develops gradually, starting with prehypertension. By intervening in the early stages, particularly in young adults, the progression to full-blown hypertension can be significantly delayed or even completely prevented. Bank employees lead a sedentary and highly stressful life that often leads to developing NCD’s such as hypertension. Diabetes mellitus etc. The study aims to assess the prevalence of prehypertension and its risk factors among them. Objectives 1.To assess the prevalence of Prehypertension among young adult bank employees. 2.To identify risk factors for prehypertension among young adult bank employees. Methodology: A Cross-sectional analytical Study was carried out among the bank employees of urban Kakinada, during October & November 2023 and their hypertension status was assessed. Sample size was calculated using the formula [n=z2pq/l2] with an allowable error of 15% of prevalence. Prevalence (55.3%) was taken from the study done by Sira Jam Munira et al., and sample size was 140. List of banks in the city was obtained and 32 of them were selected by simple random sampling using lottery method. Young adults(25-44years) of age from the rank of Clerk and above were included in the study. Modified WHO STEPS questionnaire was used to collect data using Kobo toolbox and the data was analyzed using MS Excel 2019 and SPSS 21. Prior approval was taken from Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Prevalence of Prehypertension among bank employees was 58.5% and de novo Hypertension was 12.8%. Mean age of the participants was 35.7± 4.7SD years. Majority of them had abnormal BMI (73.6%). Significant association was found between BMI, Central obesity (high Waist hip ratio and high waist circumference) and prehypertension. Conclusion: Young adult bank employees had high prevalence of prehypertension and there was no gender variation.