An Evaluation of the Risk Factors Associated with Hypertension in the Scheduled Caste Population of Mumbai, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Hypertension is a major health issue worldwide, with an increasing incidence in developing nations. This research examines the prevalence and contributing factors of hypertension in the Scheduled Caste community in Mumbai, India, considering the effects of urbanization and lifestyle modifications. Objective To determine the prevalence of hypertension and assess the association of various demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors with hypertension in the Scheduled Caste community in Mumbai, India. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out during the years 2021–2022 in five regions of Mumbai, with substantial Scheduled Caste population. A total of 4,806 participants above 18 years of age were selected through purposive sampling. Data collection involved interviews and measurements of blood pressure and anthropometric data. The study used chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify significant predictors of hypertension. Results The study found that 39.5% of participants had hypertension. Significant risk factors for hypertension included age (≥ 35 years), male gender, higher BMI (≥ 25), addiction (smoking, alcohol, pan masala/gutka), and a sedentary lifestyle. Conversely, high consumption of leafy vegetables was associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension. No significant associations were found between hypertension and fruit consumption and diet type (vegetarian vs. non-vegetarian). Conclusions Hypertension is prevalent in the Scheduled Caste population in Mumbai, driven by modifiable risk factors such as BMI, addiction, and physical activity. The findings emphasize the need for targeted public health interventions to address these risk factors and reduce the burden of hypertension in this population. Future research is needed with larger and more diverse populations to further explore these associations.