Pekalongan– Physical
Activity and Genetic Factors Not Linked to Hypertension in Productive-Age
Adults. This study was conducted by Alvatika Qurnia, Imam
Purnomo, and Nur Lu'lu from the Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Health
Sciences, University of Pekalongan and published in the International Journal
of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS) Vol. 4 No. 2 (February 2026).
The
research conducted by Alvatika Qurnia, Imam Purnomo, and Nur Lu'lu shows that
two factors that have been considered the main triggers—physical activity and
genetic factors—have not been proven to have a significant effect on the
incidence of hypertension in the 15–59 age group.
Hypertension Increasing Among
Working-Age Population
Data from the Indonesian Health Survey
(SKI) 2023 show that hypertension is no longer limited to older adults.
Prevalence among those aged 15–20 years reached 10.7 percent, while in the
25–34 age group it was 17.4 percent. Globally, the World Health Organization
estimates that 33 percent of the world’s population has hypertension, with
two-thirds of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
In Central Java Province, hypertension
prevalence stands at 37.57 percent, with slightly higher rates among women than
men.
High incidence among productive-age
adults raises concerns about reduced work productivity, increased economic
burden on families, and rising pressure on healthcare services.
Case-Control Study of 100 Respondents
The study used an analytic
observational case–control design involving:
- 50
respondents with hypertension (case group)
- 50
respondents without hypertension (control group)
Data were collected through structured
interviews and blood pressure measurements. Chi-square tests were used to
examine the relationship between physical activity, genetic factors, and
hypertension incidence.
Most respondents were aged 44–48 years (27 percent), and the majority had a junior high school educational background (57 percent).
Majority Reported Light Physical
Activity
Univariate analysis showed:
- 57
percent engaged in light physical activity
- 27
percent engaged in moderate activity
- 16
percent engaged in vigorous activity
Meanwhile, 55 percent reported a family history of hypertension, and 45 percent did not.
No Significant Association Found
Bivariate analysis results indicate:
- Physical
activity: p =
0.109 (>0.05)
- Genetic
factors: p =
0.230 (>0.05)
These findings demonstrate no
statistically significant relationship between physical activity or genetic
history and hypertension incidence among the productive-age population in
Kedungwuni Timur Village in 2025.
The Odds Ratio for light-to-moderate physical activity was 2.385 with a confidence interval crossing 1, indicating it is not a confirmed risk factor. Genetic factors yielded an OR of 1.758, also statistically insignificant.
Multifactorial Nature of Hypertension
Researchers explain that most
respondents had relatively similar activity patterns, primarily routine daily
work activities, resulting in limited variability in physical activity levels.
Although genetic predisposition can
increase susceptibility to hypertension, it does not independently determine
the condition. Other factors such as age, high salt intake, stress, obesity,
and smoking may play a more dominant role.
The findings align with previous studies that also reported no significant association between physical activity or hereditary factors and hypertension in certain populations.
Field Challenges During Research
Several practical challenges were
encountered:
- Working-age
respondents were often unavailable during daytime visits
- Some
respondents with lower educational backgrounds required additional
explanation during interviews
- Potential
recall bias when reporting family history
Despite these obstacles, support from village authorities and the local public health center facilitated data collection.
Policy and Public Health Implications
The study underscores that
hypertension prevention strategies should not focus solely on physical activity
and genetic predisposition.
Effective prevention should include:
- Public
health education
- Reduced
salt consumption
- Stress
management
- Regular
blood pressure screening
- Promotion
of healthy lifestyle behaviors
Primary healthcare centers are encouraged to strengthen preventive and promotive programs targeting working-age adults.
Conclusion
The study conducted in Kedungwuni
Timur Village found no significant effect of physical activity or genetic
factors on hypertension incidence among adults aged 15–59 years in 2025.
The findings reinforce the
understanding that hypertension is a multifactorial disease influenced by a
combination of lifestyle, environmental, and biological factors rather than
single determinants.
Comprehensive lifestyle-based prevention remains the most effective strategy for controlling hypertension in the community.
Author Profiles
- Alvatika Qurnia- Universitas Pekalongan.
- Imam Purnomo & Nur Lu’lu- Universitas Pekalongan
Research Source
Qurnia, A., Purnomo, I., & Lu’lu, N. (2026). The Effect of Genetic Factors and Physical Activity on the Incidence of Hypertension among the Productive-Age Population in Kedungwuni Timur Village, Kedungwuni District, Pekalongan Regency. International Journal of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS), Vol. 4 No. 2, 185–198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijels.v4i2.274
URL: https://ntlmultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijels
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