Some Risk factors among hypertensive Clients in an Outpatient Clinic of a Tertiary health centre, Southern Nigeria.

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension has risen to become a notable public health issue, consuming a reasonable amount of various countries’ health budget.Despite increasing awareness of predisposing risk factors, there is surging increase in modifiable risk factors for hypertension and so also the disease among residents in Bayelsa state. The research therefore, highlights the prevailing risk factors among known hypertensive patients in Bayelsa state and determinants. Materials and Method: A total of 172 hypertensive patients visiting a cardiology clinic in Federal Medical Center ,Bayelsa Nigeria were recruited for the study, 93 males and 79 females. A short interview was carried out to assess risk for hypertension such a tobacco,salt consumption to already cooked food, exercise lifestyle and family history of hypertension. Total numbers recruited was determined using formulae for population sampling. Data was recorded and analyzed using SPSS. Results: Greater than 55 percent of these clients visiting the clinics were 50 years and above, and more than 50 percent of had no educational status or of low educational status(primary level). At least a third proportion of the studied population either consume tobacco product, or add salt to already cooked food or practice exercise as lifestyle or had positive family history of hypertension. The determinants for these observations had arisen from socio-cultural background, educational status, and religious background. Conclusion: Strategies for influencing some of the modifiable risk factors of hypertension (HTN) can only be more effective by directing public health effort to their cultural, religious and socioeconomic background.