Prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors among the Kabuis of Manipur

*Corresponding Author: Prof. H. Sorojini Devi
Dept. of Anthropology, Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur-795001
Email:  sorojinihijam12345@gmail.com

KEYWORDS Hypertension, Kabuis, body composition, lifestyle, socioeconomic

ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of hypertension in adults increased from 650 million in 1990 to 1.4 billion in 2024, with the increase largely observed in low- and middle-income countries, and many hypertensive individuals remain untreated globally.
Objectives: The present study aims to assess the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors among the Kabuis of Imphal East District, Manipur.
Materials and Methods: Data for the present cross-sectional study were collected from 9 Kabui villages in Imphal East District, Manipur. Moreover, consisted of 530 individuals, of which 272 were males, and 258 were females. Information on lifestyle factors, height, weight and blood pressure was collected from each subject following standardised procedures. Body mass index (BMI kg/m2) was also computed.
Statistical methods: χ2 was used for group comparisons, and binary logistic regression was performed to assess the strength of associations using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS version 20.
Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension is 35.3% in males and 32.2% in female respondents, which is slightly higher in males than in females. Significant associations have shown in males having age 50 years (OR=5.0), high income (OR=2.52), illiterate (OR=3.47), occupation (OR= 6.07, 4.35, 4.09, 3.21), Obese (OR=2.35), smoking (OR=2.65), alcoholic (OR=2.05), inactive (OR= 3.66), anxiety (OR= 5.45), and high salt intake (OR= 2.53) with hypertension whereas illiterate (OR=3.56) is significantly and independently associated with hypertension in females.
Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension is higher among males whose age is 50 years, obese, smokers, alcohol consumers, inactive, having anxiety, high salt intake, illiterate and unemployed groups.

Th. Rebika Devi¹ and H. Sorojini Devi ²*

¹Research scholar, Dept. of Anthropology, Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur
²Professor, Dept. of Anthropology, Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur-795001

DOI-DS: 06.2026-82922196
DOI Link :: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/06.2026-82922196/Frontier_Anthropology/2026/15/A3/TRD

Frontier Anthropology, 2026, 15: 17-24
©Anthropological Society of Manipur

Original Article

Manuscript Timeline
Submitted: February 23, 2026
Accepted: May 12, 2026
Published: June 9, 2026

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