Discriminating Bangladeshi Adults by Level of Blood Pressure

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to discriminate Bangladeshi adults of 18 years and above according to their blood pressure level and to identify some factors responsible for discrimination. Accordingly, the analysis was done utilizing the data collected from 960 adults of both urban and rural areas. The respondents were investigated by some doctors and nurses from and nearby their working places. During investigation, the blood pressure (mmHg) of the respondents were recorded. It was observed that 45.4% adults had optimal blood pressure. The percentages of normal, high normal and hypertensive adults were 39.5, 9.4 and 5.7, respectively. High normal and hypertension was more likely among urban, non-Muslim, female, single, aged, illiterate, physically inactive, involved in sedentary activities, obese subjects. Adults of lower income group of families and higher expenditure group of families were also more exposed to the problem of higher blood pressure. The problem was more likely in smokers, restaurant and can food consumers. Age, utilization of time, and accustomed with can food were the most responsible factors in discriminating the adults of different groups. The other responsible variables were gender variation, level of education and body mass index (BMI).