PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HYPERTENSION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN URBAN PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

High blood pressure has become a key health issue of concern among young adults and especially in highly urbanizing areas in the low- and middle-income countries. Premature hypertension has a profound effect on the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the long term. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information regarding its prevalence and risk factors in urban youth in Pakistan. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and identify determinants of hypertension in young adults living in urban Pakistan. The study was a community-based cross-sectional study involving 720 young adults aged 18-35 years and was done using a multistage random sampling method. A structured questionnaire based on WHO STEPS, which included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and clinical history, was used to collect the data. Standardized procedures were used to measure blood pressure and hypertension was determined based on AHA 2017 guidelines. The statistical analysis was done with the help of SPSS version 26 where chi-square and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine independent predictors. The general prevalence of hypertension was 27.1%, and the prevalence was much more in males (30.6%) than females (23.1%) (p = 0.012). The prevalence of hypertension was higher by age and body mass index. Multivariate analysis revealed that family history (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 2.01–4.20) and BMI ≥25 kg/m² (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.74–3.53) were the strongest predictors. Abnormal salt consumption (OR: 2.11), physical inactivity (OR: 1.72), stress (OR: 1.64), and fast food consumption (OR: 1.58) were also other important factors. The study presents the high prevalence of high blood pressure in young urban adults in Pakistan, which is mainly caused by lifestyle changes that are modifiable. There is a need to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases which is on the rise in this population through early screening, lifestyle change and specific public health interventions