Modifiable risk factors of hypertension and socio-demographic profile in Medan City

摘要

Hypertension is a major public health problem and important area of research due to its high prevalence and its risk factors. Factors related to hypertension are categorized into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. The modifiable risk factors include obesity, physical in activity, high salt diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and others. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence, modifiable risk factors, and socio-demographic profile related to hypertension in Medan City. Cross sectional study design was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of 440 respondents for this study. An interviewer administered questionaires was used to collect data and data analysis was performed by statistical software. The prevalence of hypertension in Medan City is 18.2%, while the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, no physical activity and always consume MSG are 32.5%, 17.5%, 17.9%, 91.6% and 47.3% respectively. There is a statistical significant relationship between physical activity with hypertension. The study showed high prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension. It is needed to make preventive efforts to strengthen modification in life style model in an attempt to face the future epidemic of hypertension.