Hypertension, a non-communicable disease, is considered a major public health challenge because of its widespread prevalence globally coupled with its huge morbidity and mortality burden, which is largely preventable if early detection and prompt initiation of management are done. Hypertension prevalence is increasing especially in the developing world, despite this, its awareness among the general population is low. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of hypertension among adult attendees of the General Outpatient Clinic of the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, with an assessment of the proportion of hypertensives who were aware of their hypertensive status, and identifying risk factors of hypertension in the study participants. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between October and November 2022 at the General Outpatient Clinic of the FUTH, Owerri. A total of 257 consenting and eligible adult patients made up of 135 males and 122 females, aged 18 years and above, were selected by systematic random sampling method. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.6%. The prevalence was higher in females than in males (37.7% vs 31.9%, P = 0.325). Among the hypertensive subjects 56.2% had awareness of their hypertensive status. Following a multiple regression analysis, hypertension was independently associated with age, family history of hypertension, occupation (retirees, traders, farmers and the unemployed), and marital status (being widowed). Hypertension is prevalent in our environment; the prevalence rate from this study is higher than in most studies in our environment, suggesting possibly, a rising burden. The results from the study underscore the need for increased and sustained advocacy for implementation of policies and programs directed at increased detection and management of hypertension in the different population groups such as annual wellness check for employees in the formal sector, largescale dietary and lifestyle adjustments, and know your numbers (an approach to population driven blood pressure check for all adults). Also, health workers should use any opportunity of contact with a patient to screen for hypertension.
References
[1]
Omran, A.R. (2005) The Epidemiologic Transition: A Theory of the Epidemiology of Population Change. The Milbank Quarterly, 83, 731-757. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0009.2005.00398.x
[2]
World Health Organization (2021) Hypertension. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
[3]
Kearney, P.M., Whelton, M., Reynolds, K., Muntner, P., Whelton, P.K. and He, J. (2005) Global Burden of Hypertension: Analysis of Worldwide Data. The Lancet, 365, 217-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17741-1
[4]
Hajjar, I., Kotchen, J.M. and Kotchen, T.A. (2006) Hypertension: Trends in Prevalence, Incidence and Control. Annual Review of Public Health, 27, 465-490. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.27.021405.102132
[5]
Adeloye, D., Owolabi, E.O., Ojji, D.B., Auta, A., et al. (2021) Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020: A Systematic Analysis of Current Evidence. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 23, 963-977·
[6]
Adeloye, D., Basquill, C., Aderemi, A.V., Thompson, J.Y. and Obi, F.A. (2015) An Estimate of the Prevalence of Hypertension in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Hypertension, 33, 230-242. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000000413
[7]
Murthy, G.V., Fox, S., Sivasubramaniam, S., Gilbert, C.E., Mahdi, A.M., Imam, A.U., Entekume, G. and Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Study Group (2013) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension and Association with Ethnicity in Nigeria: Results from a National Survey. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 24, 344-350. https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2013-058
[8]
Ezeala-Adikaibe, B.A., Mbadiwe, C.N., Okafor, U.H., Nwobodo, U.M., Okwara, C.C., Okoli, C.P., et al. (2023) Prevalence of Hypertension in a Rural Community in Southeastern Nigeria; an Opportunity for Early Intervention. Journal of Human Hypertension, 37, 694-700. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-023-00833-x
[9]
Adeke, A.S., Chori, B.S., Neupane, D., Sharman, J.E. and Odili, A.E. (2022) Socio-Demographic and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Hypertension in Nigeria: Results from a Country-Wide Survey. Journal of Human Hypertension. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-022-00673-1
[10]
Ibebuike, J., Vincent, C., Nwagbo, C.O. and Emmanuel, O.E. (2021) Studies on Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors in Ifakala Community, Nworieubi in Mbaitolu Local Government Area Imo State, Nigeria. EAS Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 3, 261-267.
[11]
Princewel, F., Cumber, S.N., Kimbi, J.A., Nkfusai, C.N., Keka, E.I., Viyoff, V.Z., Beteck, T.E., Bede, F., Tsoka-Gwegweni, J.M. and Akum, E.A. (2019) Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Hypertension among Adults in a Rural Setting: The Case of Ombe, Cameroon. The Pan African Medical Journal, 14, Article 147. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2019.34.147.17518
[12]
Ulasi, I.I., Ijoma, C.K., Onwubere, B.J., Arodiwe, E., Onodugo, O. and Okafor, C. (2011) High Prevalence and Low Awareness of Hypertension in a Market Population in Enugu, Nigeria. International Journal of Hypertension, 2011, Article ID: 869675. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/869675
[13]
Charan, J. and Biswas, T. (2013) How to Calculate Sample Size for Different Study Designs in Medical Research? Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 35, 121-126. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.116232
[14]
Ike, S.O. (2009) Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Complications among Medical Admissions at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu (Study 2). Nigerian Journal of Medicine: Journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, 18, 68-72.
[15]
Ogah, O.S., Madukwe, O.O., Chukwuonye, I.I., Onyeonoro, U.U., Ukegbu, A.U., Akhimien, M.O., Onwubere, B.J. and Okpechi, I.G. (2013) Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension in Abia State Nigeria: Results from the Abia State Non-Communicable Diseases and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Survey. Ethnicity & Disease, 23, 161-167. https://doi.org/10.14194/ijmbr.2110
[16]
Ajayi, I.O., Sowemimo, I.O., Akpa, O.M. and Ossai, N. (2016) Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors among Residents of Ibadan-North Local Government Area of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Cardiology,13, 67-75. https://doi.org/10.4103/0189-7969.165168
[17]
Okello, S., Muhihi, A., Mohamed, S.F., Ameh, S., Ochimana, C. and Oluwasanu, A.O. (2020) Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control and Predicted 10-Year CVD Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study of Seven Communities in East and West Africa (SevenCEWA). BMC Public Health, 20, Article No. 1706. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09829-5
[18]
Kayima, J., Wanyenze, R.K., Katamba, A., Leontsini, E. and Nuwaha, F. (2013) Hypertension Awareness, Treatment and Control in Africa: A Systematic Review. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 13, Article No. 54. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2261-13-54
[19]
Eze, N. (2017) Balancing Career and Family: The Nigerian Woman’s Experience. PhD Thesis, Walden University, Minneapolis. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5158&context=dissertations
[20]
Jaiyeola, E.O. and Isaac, A. (2020) Patriarchy and Colonization: The “Brooder House” for Gender Inequality in Nigeria. Journal of Research on Women and Gender, 10, 3-22.
[21]
Bappah, B.S., Shittu, A., Usman, J.S., Nuhu, J.M., Sumaila, F.G., Ahmad, A.A. and Mohammed, J. (2022) Prevalence and Correlates of Undiagnosed Hypertension among Staff of a Nigerian University Community. Pan African Medical Journal, 42, Article 80. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.42.80.26464
[22]
Roerecke, M., Kaczorowski, J., Tobe, S.W., Gmel, G., Hasan, O.S.M. and Rehm, J. (2017) The Effect of a Reduction in Alcohol Consumption on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Lancet Public Health, 2, E108-E120. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(17)30003-8
[23]
Adeyanju, O.Z., Okuku, M.O., Opurum, G.C. and Bill, U.S. (2023) Prevalence and Predictors of Hypertension among Company Workers in Portharcourt, Nigeria. World Nutrition, 14, 33-41. https://doi.org/10.26596/wn.202314233-41
[24]
Olack, B., Wabwire-Mangen, F., Smeeth, L., Montgomery, J.M., Kiwanuka, N. and Breiman, R.F. (2015) Risk Factors of Hypertension among Adults Aged 35-64 Years Living in an Urban Slum Nairobi, Kenya. BMC Public Health, 15, Article No. 1251. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2610-8
