Prevalence of Hypertension in a rural community in southeast Nigeria; an opportunity for early intervention

Ezeala-Adikaibe, Birinus and Mbadiwe, Nkeiruka and Umeh, Okafor and Nwobodo, Monday and Okwara, Celestine and Okoli, Paul and Anyim, Benneth and Anigbo, Gideon and Chime, Peter and Ezeme, Mark and Onyebueke, Godwin and Abonyi, Michael and Udeh, Callistus and Okechukwu, Chukwunonso and Onodugo, Nkiruka and Okpara, Titus and Nnaji, Thomas and Obumneme-Anyim, Ijeoma and Orjioke, Casmir and Ekochin, Fintan Chinweike and Onyekonwu, Chinwe and Onodugo, Obinna and Nwosu, Nnamdi (2022) Prevalence of Hypertension in a rural community in southeast Nigeria; an opportunity for early intervention. Journal of Human Hypertension, 37. pp. 694-700.

Text Dr Ekochin - Prevalence of Hypertensionin a Rural Community.pdf Download (610kB)

Abstract

Background Hypertension is a leading cause of non-communicable morbidity in Sub Saharan Africa. Recent studies suggest and increase in the prevalence of hypertension in rural Sub Saharan Africa. Methods Using a three-phase approach, the WHO STEPS-wise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases was used to determine the prevalence of hypertension in a rural settlement is Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. Blood pressure measurement was done according to the guidelines of the European Society of Hypertension. Results Out of 1576 participants aged 18 years and above, 976 (74.9%) completed the full survey and their blood pressure was measured, and data analysed. The prevalence of hypertension was 27.3%, (95%CI 24.5 30.2); similar in males (28.8, 95%CI 24.1-33.9) and females 166(26.4%, 95%CI 23.0-30.0). p= 0.415. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age reaching a peak of 33.6% (95%CI 25.7-42.1) among people aged 50-59 years. P= 0.06. The age-related increase in the prevalence of hypertension was statistically signi cant in males (p=0.04) but not in females. (p=0.15). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels correlated with older age and higher fasting blood glucose levels while diastolic blood pressure negatively correlated with level of education. Awareness of hypertension was low (7.9%). Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension in a rural southeastern Nigeria community is 27.3%, however awareness was very low (7.9%). Most participants had mild hypertension thus offering a window of opportunity for public health educators in preventing the complication of hypertension. There is therefore the need for awareness campaigns to be intensi ed in rural communities.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Medicine
Depositing User:	mrs chioma hannah
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2025 15:16
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2025 15:16
URI:	http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/4946

Actions (login required)

View Item