Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension among Nepalese Civil Servants

Background: Hypertension is one of the major global emerging health problems in this industrial world. Prevalence of is increasing daily. Overall awareness and modifying one's lifestyle could be beneficial to the reduction of hypertension. Majority of the hypertension cases are found in the developing countries. South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal have a higher risk of hypertension which is rapidly increasing. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among civil servants in a Nepalese federal state. Structured questionnaire was used and face to face interview were carried out by the researcher himself. Blood Pressure (BP) was measured and hypertension was categorized, height and weight was measurements to attain the Body Mass Index (BMI). The participants were exclusively selected 247 (F= 68, M=179) civil servants who are working in Nepalese federal state number 5. Chi-square test has been carried out for comparing proportions in categorical variables. Logistic regression has been used to find out the adjusted odds ratio. All difference has been considered statistically significant at the p <0.05 level. Results: Study found 27.9% prevalence of hypertension (F= 8.8 %, M = 35.2%) with statistically significance with alcohol consumption (p = 0.024), known diabetes (p = 0.026). According to the logistic regression model result of the study, physical activity (p = 0.218) and its intensity (p = 0.368) with hypertension is not statistically significant. Similarly smoking also has not statistical significance with hypertension (p = 0.121). Study shows amount of salt intake in a day (<5gm=13.8%, >5-<10 gm. =51.4% and >10 gm. = 34.8%) that is higher amount than World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation (<5 gm.). Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension is higher among civil servant than ordinary people. Alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus and age has significant association with hypertension among Nepalese civil servant.