Sex differences in hypertension prevalence and risk factors in India ‒ a comparative study based on National Family Health Survey IV and V

Introduction and aim. Hypertension is increasing universally, mainly in developing countries like India. This study analyzed sex differences in hypertension using data from National Family Health Survey (NFHS) rounds IV and V, with a focus on prevalence trends and associated risk factors. Material and methods. This study utilized data from NFHS rounds IV and V, focusing on males and females aged 15–49 years. The samples included 103,525 males and 667,258 females in NFHS-IV, and 93,267 males and 695,707 females in NFHS-V. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analytical techniques were employed to address the study’s objectives. Results. The NFHS-IV and V data revealed a notable increase in hypertension prevalence across India, with significantly higher odds observed among individuals in the older reproductive age group (45–49 years) for both sexes. Hypertension occurred 4.85 times higher among male in the age group 45‒49 compared to 15-24 age group, which rose to 5.23 in NFHS-V. Among female, the odds increased from 5.39 in NFHS-IV to 6.40 in NFHS-V. Remarkably, illiterate male showed lower odds of hypertension linked to their educated peers in both survey rounds, while female with only primary education showed higher odds. Regional disparities were also evident, with both male and female from the Northeast showing elevated odds ‒ particularly female, who had an odds ratio of 1.47 in NFHS-IV. Conclusion. The observed sex-specific variations in hypertension and its risk factors indicate a need for public health strategies to designed for each gender. Tailored interventions addressing education, lifestyle behaviors, and regional disparities are essential to effectively manage and prevent hypertension in India’s diverse population.