Yield of Screening for Blood Pressure of Employees in a Medical University at Karachi

Abstract

Background: High blood pressure is an under-diagnosed condition and it damages the body with no or only mild symptoms. In Pakistan 19% people of age 15 or above suffer from high blood pressure. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of high blood pressure among apparently healthy population.

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study, conducted from May 2009 to September 2009, at Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Karachi. With convenient sampling technique, the total study population was 124 with male to female ratio of 1.2:1. The employees of the University, both faculty and supporting staff, who were not known cases of high blood pressure, and who consented to participate, were included in the study.

Results: The hypertensives found were 11(9%) and 8(6.5%) were in the pre-hypertension category. There was no difference of normal BP among faculty and supporting staff (84.8% and 84.2% respectively). Four (3.2%) study subjects were going for regular walk, and they were normotensive. The smokers were 15(12%), and all the 5 smokers among 15 of more than 10 years’ duration were having high BP.

Conclusion: A substantial number of study population did not have idea of having high BP, a vast majority was having sedentary life-style. There is need to promote awareness regarding hypertension and its risk factors and a healthy lifestyle.