Abstract Background: Hypertension is an important risk factor for CVD and a major public health problem in developing countries around the world. All over the world among all annual deaths, 12.8% deaths are due to hypertension which is about 7.5 million deaths, which accounts 57 million disability-adjusted life years (DALY’S). Objectives: (a) To estimate the prevalence of hypertension among secondary school teachers of Belagavi city. (b) To know the associated risk factors influencing hypertension. Material and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted from Feb 2014 to Oct 2014 in Belagavi city among 400 secondary school teachers. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information about demographic and socio-economic factors. Anthropometric measurements were taken for assessment of risk factors of hypertension. An analysis of data was done by using SPSS software version 20 and percentage for prevalence and chi-square to find out association. Result: Prevalence of hypertension among secondary school teachers was 13.25% (14.1% in males and 13.0% in female). Hypertension increases as age advances in both males and females. Hypertension was associated with age, marital status and body mass index. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension among secondary school teachers was high. Sex, marital status and body mass index were significantly associated with hypertension.
Keywords: Hypertension; School Teachers; Blood Pressure; BMI; Socio-Economic Status.