Prevalence of hypertension and chronic disease awareness in South Kerala: a community-based study

Authors

  • Anjali Ajay Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Sapna Meryl Mani Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Dimple Santosh Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Christina Joshy Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Asif Mohammed Muhammed Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Athira Sunil Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Ayisha Azeez Parakkal Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Benita Biju Grace Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Bliss Sara Mathew Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Calvin John Vincent Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Catherine John Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Chithra Sudeep Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Christa Meria Allen Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Daya Maggie Varghese Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Deena Rana Thajuddin Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Devi Krishna Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Devika S. Nair Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Dona Mariam Thomas Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Elsa Pradeep Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Fathima Naja Arangath Methel Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Fathima Shimla Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Gayathri Sreekumar Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Gifteena J. Jain Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Gopika Reji Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Hannah Elsa Renji Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Harsha Anna Shiju Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Hevin Augustine Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261561

Keywords:

Hypertension, Chronic diseases, Awareness, Community-based study, Family adoption programme

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. Adequate awareness of chronic diseases is essential for effective prevention. The objective of the study was to estimate hypertension prevalence and assess awareness regarding chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, COPD) among adults in a Family Adoption Programme (FAP) area in South Kerala.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study included 300 adults (≥18 years) in Thiruvalla Municipality. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and disease knowledge. Blood pressure was measured using standard procedures.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 32.0% (95% CI: 26.7%-37.3%). Prevalence increased significantly with age (p < 0.001) and was higher among widowed individuals (p=0.011) and Christians (p=0.004). The mean overall knowledge score was 10.44±4.57 (out of 20). Awareness was lowest for COPD. Overall knowledge varied significantly by socio-economic status (p=0.019), but not by hypertension status. Normotensive participants exhibited significantly better diabetes knowledge (p=0.01).

Conclusions: A high hypertension prevalence and moderate disease awareness highlight the need for targeted community-based screening and health education, particularly for less-recognized conditions like COPD.

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Published

2026-05-26

How to Cite

Ajay, A., Mani, S. M., Santosh, D., Joshy, C., Muhammed, A. M., Sunil, A., Parakkal, A. A., Grace, B. B., Mathew, B. S., Vincent, C. J., John, C., Sudeep, C., Allen, C. M., Varghese, D. M., Thajuddin, D. R., Krishna, D., Nair, D. S., Thomas, D. M., Pradeep, E., Methel, F. N. A., Shimla, F., Sreekumar, G., Jain, G. J., Reji, G., Renji, H. E., Shiju, H. A., & Augustine, H. (2026). Prevalence of hypertension and chronic disease awareness in South Kerala: a community-based study. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261561

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In Press

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