Exploring the factors affecting hypertension screening practices among elderly in rural setting

Abstract

Hypertension is a significant public health concern in India, with a particularly high burden in rural areas. Among the elderly population (aged 60 and above) in rural regions, the prevalence can reach up to 60–70%. This study aimed to explore the factors affecting hypertension screening practices in this population. A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Erode, Tamil Nadu, India. A sample of 323 participants aged 60 years and above without hypertension screening in the past two years and no prior diagnosis were randomly selected. A developed and validated questionnaire was used to identify barriers to screening. Current blood pressure readings were recorded to determine the prevalence of newly diagnosed hypertension. Among the 323 participants, 77 (23.8%) were found to have hypertension. Significant associations were observed between hypertension prevalence and age (p=0.021), gender (p=0.034), smoking (p=0.013), and alcohol consumption (p=0.042). The most prominent barriers were a lack of knowledge about hypertension consequences (89.4%), absence of obvious symptoms (69%), and lack of reminders from healthcare providers or family members (67%). Other barriers included mistrust in healthcare (8%), previous normal readings (7.4%), work culture/time constraints (2.7%), and cost concerns (3%). Multifaceted barriers, often with gender disparities, affect hypertension screening practices among the elderly in rural India. Comprehensive, community-based education programs and targeted interventions addressing these barriers are crucial to improve screening rates and early detection of hypertension in this population.