A Comparative Analysis of Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption Patterns Underlying Hypertension Prevalence Across Indian Women: Evidence from NFHS-5

Abstract Background The rise of hypertension among women aged 15–49 in India poses a significant public health challenge. To gain a better understanding of this issue, this study explores the prevalence of hypertension and its potential correlation with tobacco and alcohol use among women in the reproductive age group. By utilizing data from India's National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5), the study aims to test the hypothesis that there is a link between hypertension and alcohol and tobacco consumption. Methodology: This study employs a descriptive approach and utilizes a stratified two-stage sample from NFHS 5 rural and urban, with a total of 724,115 women included in the analysis. Using binomial logistic regression, was used to examine the association between hypertension and individual, household, and behavioral factors. Results Overall, 4.6% of women are affected by hypertension. The study also revealed that 6.2%, 1.9%, and 7.7% of women respectively, reported using tobacco, alcohol, and both substances simultaneously. Further analysis showed that those who used tobacco (4.9%) and alcohol (6.0%) had a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to non-users (4.6%). The highest occurrence of hypertension was observed among those who used both substances (5.1%). This aligns with the results of adjusted logistic regression, which confirmed that tobacco use (OR 1.073), alcohol use (OR 1.325), and dual-use (OR 1.129) were all significantly linked to a higher likelihood of developing hypertension. Conclusion In India, there is a concerning link between hypertension and the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, particularly when used together, among young women. This highlights the need for immediate and widespread action to reduce the uptake of these substances. Policies that limit the advertising and availability of tobacco and alcohol should be implemented, alongside educational initiatives that address the dangers of hypertension. Additionally, improving access to health services for screening and treatment is crucial in addressing this issue.