Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: December | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 241-247
Prevalence of Hypertension among Adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Funmilayo Esther Omotoye, Rasaki Adegoke Sanusi
Human Nutrition Department, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Funmilayo Esther Omotoye
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is on the increase in Nigeria. Due to changing trends in epidemiology of hypertension and its consequences, there is need for regular surveillance on prevalence of hypertension to implement effective control strategies.
Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of hypertension in Ekiti State, Nigeria; both urban and rural communities.
Methods: The study was descriptive cross sectional in design. A total of 1590 consenting adults, aged 20-70years were recruited from six local government areas (LGAs); from each LGA, one urban and two rural communities were selected using simple random sampling. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and medical history were obtained using interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP) was measured on three occasions using standard methods (BP<140/90 considered normal and ≥140/90 as high). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and student t-test at p=0.05. Difference in means was assessed using ANOVA.
Results: Mean age of respondents was 43.9±16.4 years; 44.41±16.7 in the rural and 43.09±15.9 in the urban; 27.8% were without formal education; 281(29.4%) in the rural and 161(25.4%) in the urban; 40.0% were aware of being hypertensive. Mean systolic BP (SBP) was 136.9±26.5mmHg while mean diastolic BP (DBP) was 83.9±15.3mmHg. A total of 524(33%) had persistent BP≥140/90; 338(35.3%) in the rural and 186(29.4%) in the urban communities. A total of 111 (7.0%) had mild hypertension BP≥140/90-159/99, 203 (12.8%) had moderate hypertension BP≥160/100-179/109, while 210 (13.2%) had severe hypertension BP≥180/110.
Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension in Ekiti State was 33%, unexpectedly higher in the rural than urban areas.
Key words: Hypertension, Blood pressure, rural/urban hypertension.