Psychosocial Determinants of Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. It is a serious problem in the community leading to social stagnation.

Objectives: To determine the association between various psycho-social factors and hypertension. Design: Population based Case-Control study. Place & Duration: Urban Lahore. From May 2012-September 2012. Subjects & Methods: A population based case-control study with 1:1 case to control ratio was conducted. A total of 100 persons (50 cases and 50 controls) were recruited in the study. The selection was made on laid down criteria from adult population living in Urban Lahore in the vicinity of Mayo Hospital Lahore after taking due consent. Data was collected through a pretested questionnaire by a 5 membered team of MBBS students of King Edward Medical University, Lahore under direct supervision of Department of Community Medicine, KEMU. Data was collected, compiled and analyzed through SPSS version 20. Results: Overall 47% were males and 53% were females. Hypertension was found more in females, in the age group 51-65 years, who were married and in graduates. In bivariate analysis, hypertension was found significantly associated with anxiety (OR: 3.167, 95%CI: 1.398-7.174), restlessness (OR: 5.060, 95%CI: 2.150-11.910), anger (OR: 3.083, 95%CI: 1.330-2.963), and income (OR: 3.019, 95%CI: 1.315-6.929). Whereas diet (OR:0.667, 95%CI: 0.302-1.472), sedentary lifestyle (OR: 1.000, CI: 0.454-2.203),  smoking (OR: 1.976, CI: 0.612-6.380) , alcohol intake (OR: 2.042, CI: 0.719-23.266), intake of tea/coffee (OR:2.125, 95%CI:0.943-4.789) and unemployment (OR:0.583,95%CI:0.177-1.925) were not found to have any association with hypertension. Conclusion: Hypertension was found significantly associated with anxiety, restlessness, anger, and income.