Prevalence of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in Political Cadres of Nepal

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus are both major modifiable risk factors leading to premature death due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are must to reduce morbidity and mortality due to following diseases. Therefore authentic data on these issues are of great importance. The aim of this study was to address this gap and create awareness regarding essence of control of Diabetes and Hypertension among political cadres of Nepal as they play major role in policy making. Materials & Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study in the political cadres of Nepal was conducted at Pragya Bhawan, Kathmandu on 4th March, 2012 where delegates attended their 3rd National assembly. Standard criteria were used to describe both Hypertension and Diabetes and their respective goals. Awareness and treatment were based on self-report. Results: A total of 291 subjects were included in the study. The prevalence of hypertension was 44.32% while that of Diabetes was 18.56%. The current blood pressure of the study population was 50% within normal range and 50% of them was above normal range, body mass index of 35% was normal and rest was above normal range. 15% of the study population was known diabetic while 33% was known hypertensive. More than 50% of known diabetics had poor control over blood sugar and 72% of the known hypertensive had poor blood pressure control. Conclusion: The scenario of hypertension and diabetes control among the political cadres is not up to the mark. Most of those already having the disease have poor control of blood pressure and blood sugar level. From this, the situation obviously seems more warning in general population and needs well-designed assessment.

Prevalence of Hypertension and its Associated Risk Factors Among Military Personnel of Nepali Army in Selected Military Barracks of Nepal

“…11 The prevalence of high blood pressure was 44.32% in political cadres and 41.9% in police personnels. 12,13 Similar results of lower prevalence of hypertension in army population (9.7%) than general population is reported by another study done in Brazilian army. 14 From these studies of different occupational groups, it is seen that the prevalence of HTN is considerably lower in military personnel than the general occupation-related lifestyle, as military personnel are activities, regular exercise, and health screening at entry.…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity among Lecturers and Support Staff of Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara, Uganda

“…This study established the prevalence of diabetes among university staff as 16.1%, this finding is not much different from 15% prevalence in Nepal among people aged 20 years and above according to Nepal Diabetes Association (NDA) [25]. In contrast however, cross-sectional studies previously done around towns close to Kampala city showed a low prevalence of 8.1% [26] and 9% from studies on foot hills of Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda [13].…”

An Epidemiological Study of Diabetes Mellitus in Productive Aged Urban Nepalese of Makalbari Area of Gokarneshwor Municipality

“…19,20 *significant p value < 0.05 in Southwest Ethiopia 6.5%, 21 in Saudi 2279 (30%), 6 10% in India, 22 in Eastern Nepal 26.3% 23 and in Kathmandu 18.56%. 17 This discrepancy may be due to differences in the study area, study designs, sample sizes used, and the year the studies were conducted. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing day by day in Nepal may be due to urbanization.…”

“…The method of blood pressure measurement and criteria for diagnosis of hypertension was done according to JNC VII guidelines that is, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mm Hg and/or concomitant use of antihypertensive medications. 16 Sample size was calculated using formula Z 2 pq/d 2 , where (p) was taken as 18.5% 17 As shown in table 6, the prevalence of DM was almost same in both males 13 (52.0%) and females 12 (48.0%). DM was seen more in subjects who had completed secondary level education 11 (44.0%) , who were homemakers and government job holders, 3 (33.3%) each and who were prehypertensive 13 (52.0%).…”

“…Half (50.5%) of the population had normal Blood Pressure (BP) while 24.4% had borderline BP. 17 Nepal's STEP Survey showed the prevalence of raised fasting blood glucose or currently on medication for raised blood glucose was 5.8%, prevalence of raised BP (SBP ≥ 140 and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg or currently on medication for raised BP) was 24.5%, overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 ) was 24.3% and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ) was 4.3%. 13 In our study, the prevalence of overweight and obesity and hypertension were lower.…”