PREVALENCE OF PREHYPERTENSION AND HYPERTENSION AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH BODY MASS INDEX IN YOUNG FEMALE ADULTS OF HYDERABAD, PAKISTAN.

JPUMHS;2024:14:04,139-144 .http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.04.571

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension has been reported as the
cause of concern among young females. Higher blood pressure can have adverse outcomes
among females. The increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been the major
factor for the increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. BMI has been used to measure
overweight and obesity. This study is focused on the prevalence of prehypertension and
hypertension among young female adults who are residing in Hyderabad, Pakistan. This
study was conducted in female adults in the selected areas of Hyderabad Pakistan. The data
was obtained by interview-based questionnaire. The data was collected only during the
morning timing from 8.30 am to 10.30 am to have consistency in the data, the weight and
height were measured as the standard protocols using the weight in kilograms and height in
centimeters. BMI was calculated for the subjects using the standard formula. The Blood
pressure was measured using the sphygmomanometer. The data was analyzed using the
statistical software SPSS 22. All the ethical measures were kept into consideration before the
collection of the data. Prevalence of hypertensions was higher 36% followed by hypertension
7.8% among the studied female subjects. The prevalence of hypertension was 17.6%and the
prevalence of prehypertension was 27.2%. The prevalence of prehypertension and
hypertension was significantly higher χ=1.78, P < 0.05 among the overweight and obese
female adults. Similarly the BMI showed a positive significant correlation with both SBP
r=0.401, P < 0.001 and DBP r= 0.443, P < 0.001. This study concludes the higher prevalence
of prehypertension and hypertension among young female adults. The BMI showed a positive
correlation with SBP and DBP. This is alarming and further study is needed to find out the
intervention strategies. This study will help in making public health policies