Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder and one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular mortality which accounts for 20-50% of all deaths. Although most studies describe hypertension in older adults and the elderly, there is a paucity of data on young adults as they are deemed to be at a lower risk of developing the disease. OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of hypertension and study the risk factors and strength of association between factors and hypertension among 20-40 years old. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 20-40 years old residing in the urban field practice area to find the prevalence of hypertension and its association with socio-demographic factors. After obtaining informed consent, data were collected with the help of an interview method by systematic random sampling using predesigned and pretested semi-structured questionnaires. Three readings of blood pressure were recorded using a sphygmomanometer, and the average reading was considered. Data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel, Open Epi software, and SPSS software. RESULTS: Out of 420 subjects, the prevalence of hypertension was found to be 17.9% and pre-hypertension was 52%. Factors significantly associated with hypertension were age, marital status, type of family, family history of hypertension, tobacco chewing, stress, and body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSION: The present study reveals a high prevalence of hypertension (17.9%) in the 20-40 years old age group, which can lead to increased cardiovascular disease burden in the population.