Rural-Urban Disparities in Evaluating Cardiovascular Health- a cross-sectional study from North India

Authors: Bijay Prakash Yadav, Poonam Kushwaha

DOI: 10.18231/j.pjms.5193.1759119684

Keywords: Cardiovascular Health, Rural-urban disparities, Sex-differences, Age-difference, Echocardiography

Abstract: Background- India has made significant strides in improving health outcomes in recent years. However, there remains a notable gap in health status between individuals living in rural and urban areas, including in cardiovascular health. Aims and objectives- To better understand these disparities, we conducted an institution-based, cross-sectional study, among 119 patients study examining the factors associated with cardiovascular health among both rural and urban populations seeking medical care. Results- The study comprised (69, 58%) males. 58.8% of the subjects belonged to rural areas. s, lower socioeconomic status of 60 (50.4%), and joint family of 80 (67.2%). 72.9% of males were smokers and 37 (62.7%) were alcoholics Around 76% and 66.7% of individuals under 40 years of age had abnormal cardiovascular health in urban and rural areas, respectively. In urban areas, a higher percentage of individuals who smoke and consume alcohol have abnormal cardiovascular health status, compared to rural areas. However, a higher percentage of individuals with such health status reside in rural areas despite the lower incidence of comorbidities. Even though rural areas had more COVID cases, only 83% of them showed abnormal cardiovascular health status. Conclusion- To mitigate the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rural and remote communities, it is imperative to address the underlying factors that give rise to poor cardiovascular health. This necessitates a collaborative approach that entails forging authentic partnerships spanning diverse sectors, active community engagement, and a long-term commitment to securing viable solutions.