Incidence of hypertension in Taura, Northern Nigeria: Lessons for our health care

Abstract

The control of hypertension is very important because it leads to incidence rate reductions for stroke, ischaemic heart disease and renal failure. It was the objective of this paper to present experiences encountered in the management of hypertension in Taura Health Clinic with an emphasis on drug therapy, as well as to draw lessons for the improvement of the health care system in Nigeria. Case series of nine patients with ages ranging from 26 to 75 years were examined over six month period and all presented with hypertension. The continuous nature of treatment appeared to be an economic burden on the patients which resulted in poor compliance. In conclusion, healthcare planners should endeavour to give top priority towards the management of hypertensive patients either under medication regimen or in any health facility, with the subsidizing and cheap availability of their drugs. Key words: Hypertension, antihypertensives, modiuretic, methyldopa.