Comparision on Lipid Profile Level and Prevalence of Hypertension Among Rural and Urban Post-Menopausal Women

Abstract

Introduction: Many Study shows that approximately one in two women develops Coronary heart disease and one in three dies from it. The difference between modern lifestyle in urban areas and the traditional way of life in rural areas affect the population's health. As a result of several factors, including a lower level of estrogen, postmenopausal women are at increased risk for a number of health conditions, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. The U. S. Preventive Services Task Force. (USPSTF) strongly recommends routinely screening women 45 years and older for lipid disorders and treating abnormal lipid levels in persons who are at increased risk of Coronary heart disease`Aim: To compare lipid profile level and prevalence of hypertension among rural and urban postmenopausal women. Setting and Participants: In this comparative study 500 postmenopausal women in the age group of 45-60 years were randomly selected from rural and urban area (250 in each group) in Tamil Nadu, India. Rural subjects were selected from Somangalam region which is located in Kancheepuram district. Urban subjects were selected from Perambur region, Chennai. Subjects were personally interviewed regarding the intake of medicines for hypertension and blood pressure was also measured to know about the prevalence of hypertension. Blood samples were collected and tested in the laboratory for lipid profile levels using standardized methods. Result: By applying statistical technique (ANOVA) on lipid profile values, it was found that serum triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were significantly higher in urban subjects than the rural subjects. The High density lipoprotein lipid level was significantly higher in rural than urban subjects. Percentage of prevalence of hypertension was also comparatively higher in urban subjects. Conclusion:The present study concluded that except HDL values , the mean Lipid profile level was comparatively higher above the normal levels among urban subjects.The prevalence of hypertension was comparatively more in urban postmenopausal women than the rural subjects