Introduction
Hypertension is rapidly increasing and relatively neglected problem in Nepal. Almost one in three adult populations suffer from it. The Nepal Hypertension Society was established in January 2004 by doctors and social workers. It was founded to provide awareness of the prevalence, causes, prevention and treatment of hypertension and its complications. The Society became a member of World Hypertension League in September 2004.

Objective

• To make the people of Nepal aware of the dangers of the disease and the importance of prevention and treatment to goal by lifestyle measures and supplemented by medicines, wherever necessary.
• To conduct meetings, seminars and conferences for the prevention and control of hypertension.
• Health camps for identifying and treating hypertensive patients.
• Study, research on hypertension.

Activities

• Awareness program
• Celebration of World Hypertension Days
• Research, surveys and heath camps

Awareness Programs

• Celebrated World Hypertension Days: The Society successfully conducted World Hypertension Day 2006 and 2007 followed by talk programs, interaction programs, awareness programs and other activities in Kathmandu as well as major cities of Eastern and Western Nepal. A hoarding board was prepared illustrating the importance of hypertension and it was displayed at a very prominent place in the heart of Kathmandu. A calendar displaying the hoarding board was also prepared and is being distributed throughout Nepal. We translated the leaflets supplied by WHL in Nepali language and they have been distributed to different places in the country.
•  Published articles in national and regional daily newspapers/ magazines
• Delivered Talk programs on television/radio channels
• Organized Press meet at various places
• Published calendar, leaflets, posters, pamphlets, BP record booklets etc.

Research

• First hypertension survey in Nepal was done in 1982 by Mrigendra Samjhana Medical Trust (MSMT) and the prevalence rate was 6% according to the old WHO criteria 160/95).
• After 25 years, repeat scientific survey was done by Nepal Hypertension Society in collaboration with MSMT in 2007. We found that the prevalence of hypertension was 33.8% according to the JNC 7 criteria.

Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Prevalence rate of hypertension in the same rural community of Nepal has increased by 3 times in the last 25 years.
2. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors showed that hypertension is significantly associated with salt intake, sedentary habit, obesity and alcohol intake but no significant correlation was found with tobacco use.
3. Comparison between the two periods showed that salt intake and obesity has significantly increased, whereas tobacco use has significantly decreased. No significant change in sedentary life style. Increased salt intake and obesity are mainly responsible for increasing pv. rate of hypertension in the community.
4. Comparison also showed that awareness has increased from 4.8% to 31.8% and treatment increased from 4.8% to 23.5% but the control rate is still low just 9.5%.
5. So greater emphasis should be given to ‘Treat to Goal.’

Future Plans

1. To increase awareness programs in all the  75 districts
2. To persuade Ministry of Health to give priority to this important rapidly increasing problem.
3. To develop partnership with other organizations at different levels regarding detection, control and treatment of hypertension.

Challenges

• Resources
• Human
• Financial