Outcomes of a longitudinal research investigation conducted as an integral part of a community-based activity trial in the Nepal region regarding the prevalence, contributing causes, awareness, treatment, and management of hypertension

Context : One of the most important public health issues in the world is hypertension. Hypertension was responsible for approximately half of the 2008 cardiovascular disease-related deaths. One of the main obstacles to avoiding complications and the future burden of cardiovascular illnesses is bringing blood pressure down to a normal range. Determining the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and management of hypertension and its contributing variables in Nepal is the goal of this study. Methods : This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Kathmandu, Nepal, as a component of a community-based intervention experiment. 1159 participants who were at least 30 years old were enrolled. Four wards were chosen at random from a total of twelve wards (administrative units). From each chosen ward, three hundred individuals were gathered. Using standard STEPS questions, a trained enumerator gathered clinical, anthropometric, and sociodemographic data. Results : Women made up 71% of the total participants, and their mean age was 47±12.6 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 40.6% when age and sex were taken into account, compared to 38.9% (95% CI: 36–41.7) overall. Of the women, 35.2% (95% CI: 32.4–37.9) and 48.1% (95% CI: 45.2–50.9) had hypertension. Significant variables linked to hypertension were found to include male gender (OR = 1.49), older age (OR = 1.04 each year), Dalit caste (OR = 1.71), history of cigarette smoking (OR = 2.78), current alcohol use (OR = 1.75), and elevated body mass index (OR = 1.17 per unit). Of the respondents with hypertension, 53.4% (95% CI: 48.7–58) were aware, 29% (95% CI: 24.8–33.1) were undergoing therapy, and 8.2% (95% CI: 5.6–10.7) had blood pressure under control. Conclusion : According to the study, hypertension is quite common in Nepal but is not well understood, treated, or controlled. Hypertension was linked to body mass index, smoking, consuming alcohol, age, gender, and ethnicity. To lessen the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the future, immediate public health and personal actions are necessary