Prevalence and Correlates of Hypertension among Healthcare Professionals in Nigeria: Lessons from a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of hypertension and its complications are increasing in Sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is largely undiagnosed. Among the public health implications of the consequent morbidity and mortality are the effects of its toll on health workers; reports of sudden death among this crucial group have not been infrequent. Maintaining their health is imperative in the light of massive brain drain in the sector. There is limited information on the risk-factors among these professionals. The goal of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and correlates of hypertension among health workers with a view to guiding health promotion intervention in the sector. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the various cadres of health workers, using stratified sampling, in a tertiary health facility in South-South Nigeria. A pretested questionnaire was used, and measurements of blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were taken using standardised equipment and procedures. SSPSS version 22 was used for analysis. Hypotheses were tested with chi-square and student t-test (level of significance set at less than 0.05). Magnitude of associations was determined by odds ratios. The prevalence of hypertension was 36.2%. Being overweight/obese was associated with hypertension, OR 2.13 (CI 1.20 - 3.80), as were increasing age, obesity, and lack of exercise, though the last factor was not statistically significant. Although almost three-quarters of hypertensive subjects had a family history of hypertension, there was no significant association. The high prevalence of hypertension in this study indicates a need for health promotion strategies among this group. The prominence of a few of the known risk factors of hypertension among the health workers would suggest areas of policy thrust by the Nigerian health system Managers. Interventions could be more efficient by targeting fitness and weight loss while paying closer attention to health workers as they age.