Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Literature abounds on prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria and urban area of Oyo state but none in Oke-Ogun geo-political zone which constitute 10 local governments out of the 33 in Oyo state, despite the fact that they have high genetic and environmental predisposition to developing high blood pressure. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure and associated risk factors among indigenes of Oke-Ogun, Oyo state. Method: A total of 10,000 respondents were recruited using proportionate sampling techniques. Hypertension was defined according to the eight Joint National Committee on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of hypertension - JNC-8 criteria. The fasting plasma glucose- FPG of the respondents were classified as normal (≤6mmol/l), pre-diabetes (6.1-6.9mmol/l), and diabetes (≥7mmol/l). BMI was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2) and classified as malnutrition/underweight (<16-18.49), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9) and obese (30-≥40). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and binary logistic regression tests at p<0.05. Results: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 138±27.8, 86.13±14.4 respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 38.5%. Over sixty-four percent (64.1%) were diabetics. 63.4% had no formal education. Majority (82.95%) earned less than N18, 000.00 per month and 43.3% had a family history of hypertension. Conclusions: There is high prevalence of hypertension among the people of Oke-Ogun, in Oyo state. Their low socio-economic status, low educational background, malnutrition and genetic predisposition were identified risk factors.