Results

A total of 360 participants were included in the study. Participants were distributed across four age groups: 29 (8.1%) were aged 18-35 years, 152 (42.2%) were aged 36-50 years, 141 (39.2%) were aged 51-65 years, and 38 (10.6%) were aged 66-80 years. Male and female participants were equally represented (180, 50.0% each). Regarding educational status, 207 (57.5%) participants were literate, whereas 153 (42.5%) were illiterate. With respect to socioeconomic status, 136 (37.8%) participants belonged to the lower middle class, followed by the middle class (120, 33.3%), upper middle class (66, 18.3%), lower class (20, 5.6%), and upper class (18, 5.0%). The sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants are presented in Table 1.

Variable | Category | n | %
Age group (years) | 18-35 | 29 | 8.1
36-50 | 152 | 42.2
51-65 | 141 | 39.2
66-80 | 38 | 10.6
Sex | Male | 180 | 50.0
Female | 180 | 50.0
Education | Illiterate | 153 | 42.5
Literate | 207 | 57.5
Socioeconomic status | Upper | 18 | 5.0
Upper middle | 66 | 18.3
Middle | 120 | 33.3
Lower middle | 136 | 37.8
Lower | 20 | 5.6

Regarding anthropometric characteristics, 24 (6.6%) participants were underweight, 152 (42.2%) had normal body mass index (BMI), 119 (33.1%) were overweight, and 65 (18.1%) were obese. Increased waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were observed in 162 (45.0%) and 157 (43.6%) participants, respectively. The anthropometric characteristics of the study participants are presented in Table 2.

Variable | Category | n | %
Body mass index | Underweight | 24 | 6.6
Normal | 152 | 42.2
Overweight | 119 | 33.1
Obese | 65 | 18.1
Waist circumference | Normal | 198 | 55.0
Increased | 162 | 45.0
Waist-to-hip ratio | Normal | 203 | 56.4
Increased | 157 | 43.6

Blood pressure assessment showed that 115 (31.9%) participants had normal blood pressure, while 106 (29.4%) were prehypertensive. Stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension were observed in 100 (27.8%) and 39 (10.8%) participants, respectively. Overall, 139 (38.6%) participants had hypertension. The distribution of participants by blood pressure category is presented in Table 3.

Blood pressure category | n | %
Normal | 115 | 31.9
Pre-hypertension | 106 | 29.4
Stage 1 hypertension | 100 | 27.8
Stage 2 hypertension | 39 | 10.8

A vegetarian diet was reported by 217 (60.3%) participants, while 143 (39.7%) consumed a non-vegetarian diet. Junk food consumption was reported by 229 (63.6%) participants, and 212 (58.9%) reported additional salt intake. Adequate sleep and regular physical activity were reported by 268 (74.4%) and 188 (52.2%) participants, respectively. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and smokeless tobacco use were reported by 99 (27.5%), 106 (29.4%), and 120 (33.3%) participants, respectively. A family history of hypertension was present in 47 (13.1%) participants, while 204 (56.7%) had one or more comorbid conditions. The distribution of lifestyle and clinical risk factors among the study participants is presented in Table 4.

Variable | Category | n | %
Diet type | Vegetarian | 217 | 60.3
Non-vegetarian | 143 | 39.7
Junk food consumption | Yes | 229 | 63.6
No | 131 | 36.4
Extra salt intake | Yes | 212 | 58.9
No | 148 | 41.1
Adequate sleep | Yes | 268 | 74.4
No | 92 | 25.6
Physical activity | Yes | 188 | 52.2
No | 172 | 47.8
Smoking | Yes | 99 | 27.5
No | 261 | 72.5
Alcohol consumption | Yes | 106 | 29.4
No | 254 | 70.6
Smokeless tobacco use | Yes | 120 | 33.3
No | 240 | 66.7
Family history of hypertension | Present | 47 | 13.1
Absent | 313 | 86.9
Presence of any comorbidity | Yes | 204 | 56.7
No | 156 | 43.3

Among participants with comorbidities, diabetes mellitus was reported in 56 (27.5%), followed by cardiovascular disease in 48 (23.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 46 (22.5%), kidney disease in 44 (21.6%), cerebrovascular disease in 34 (16.7%), arthritis in 33 (16.2%), asthma in 26 (12.7%), and peripheral vascular disease in 14 (6.9%) participants. The distribution of comorbid conditions among participants is presented in Table 5.

Comorbidity | n | %
Diabetes mellitus | 56 | 27.5
Cardiovascular disease | 48 | 23.5
COPD | 46 | 22.5
Kidney disease | 44 | 21.6
Cerebrovascular disease | 34 | 16.7
Arthritis | 33 | 16.2
Asthma | 26 | 12.7
Peripheral vascular disease | 14 | 6.9

Significant associations were observed between blood pressure classification and sex (χ² = 8.77, p = 0.032), body mass index (BMI) (χ² = 73.7, p < 0.001), extra salt intake (χ² = 37.9, p < 0.001), smoking (χ² = 21.0, p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (χ² = 26.0, p < 0.001), and family history of hypertension (χ² = 41.3, p < 0.001). The associations between selected risk factors and blood pressure categories are presented in Table 6.

Variable | Category | Normal (n (%)) | Pre-hypertension (n (%)) | Stage 1 hypertension (n (%)) | Stage 2 hypertension (n (%)) | χ² | p-value
Sex | Male | 49 (27.2) | 48 (26.7) | 59 (32.8) | 24 (13.3) | 8.77 | 0.032*
Female | 66 (36.7) | 58 (32.2) | 41 (22.8) | 15 (8.3)
Category of BMI | Underweight | 9 (37.5) | 8 (33.3) | 6 (25.0) | 1 (4.2) | 73.7 | <0.001***
Normal | 75 (49.3) | 52 (34.2) | 16 (10.5) | 9 (5.9)
Overweight | 19 (16.0) | 31 (26.1) | 54 (45.4) | 15 (12.6)
Obese | 12 (18.5) | 15 (23.1) | 24 (36.9) | 14 (21.5)
Extra salt intake | Yes | 42 (19.5) | 75 (34.9) | 70 (32.6) | 28 (13.0) | 37.9 | <0.001***
No | 73 (50.3) | 31 (21.4) | 30 (20.7) | 11 (7.6)
Smoking | Yes | 20 (20.2) | 23 (23.2) | 37 (37.4) | 19 (19.2) | 21.0 | <0.001***
No | 95 (36.4) | 83 (31.8) | 63 (24.1) | 20 (7.7)
Alcohol consumption | Yes | 23 (17.2) | 40 (29.9) | 51 (38.1) | 20 (14.9) | 26.0 | <0.001***
No | 92 (40.7) | 66 (29.2) | 49 (21.7) | 19 (8.4)
Family history of hypertension | Present | 8 (17.0) | 3 (6.4) | 21 (44.7) | 15 (31.9) | 41.3 | <0.001***
Absent | 107 (34.2) | 103 (32.9) | 79 (25.2) | 24 (7.7)