Prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases and its association with hypertension among young adults in urban Meghalaya: a cross sectional study.

Objectives: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, are increasingly affecting young adults. Elevated blood pressure (BP) in this age group is often overlooked despite its potential to cause long-term health consequences. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of elevated blood pressure among urban college-going young adults in Meghalaya.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among college students aged 18-25 years in a selected college in Shillong, representing the urban population of Meghalaya. A total of 274 participants were included. Data were collected using a semi-structured WHO STEPs-based questionnaire, followed by anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. BP was classified using JNC-8 criteria. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS v25.

Results: The mean age of participants was 19.9 (±1.2) years; 55.8 % were female, and 38.0 % belonged to below poverty line (BPL) households. The prevalence of elevated BP was 17.9 % (95 % CI: 13.6-23.0 %). In multivariable analysis, non-BPL status (AOR: 5.4; 95 % CI: 2.1-14.1), obesity (AOR: 3.9; 95 % CI: 1.5-9.8), and smoking (AOR: 2.1; 95 % CI: 1.1-4.0) were significantly associated with elevated BP.

Conclusions: Elevated blood pressure was prevalent among nearly one-fifth of urban young adults, with socioeconomic status, obesity, and smoking emerging as significant determinants. These findings highlight the need for early screening and targeted interventions to mitigate cardiovascular risk among youth in urban India.