Prevalence and awareness of hypertension amongst staff and students of a tertiary institution in Nigeria

Okpara Ihunanya Chinyere¹*, Utoo Priscilla Mwuese² and Bako Ishaku Ara²

¹Department of Internal Medicine, PMB 102119, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

²Department of Community Medicine, PMB 102119, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author E-mail: iokparajubilee@gmail.com; Phone: 08037067040

Accepted 19 December, 2014

Abstract

Hypertension is a growing public health problem and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study assessed the prevalence and level of awareness of hypertension in a tertiary institution in Nigeria and its association with some socio-demographic factors. In a cross-sectional survey, by a cluster sampling method, 471 subjects were selected. Blood pressure was measured by standard protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg and /or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90mmHg. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. The overall prevalence of hypertension in the study was 15.7%. The level of awareness of hypertension amongst hypertensives was 21.6% while 78.4% were unaware of their hypertensive state. Hypertension was not significantly associated with male sex (χ² = 0.456; p=0.500) or lower educational status (χ² =1.480; p=0.224). However, it was significantly associated with marriage (χ² = 18.684; p<0.001), low socio-economic status (χ² = 9.416; p=0.002) and older age (χ² = 27.302; p<0.001). There were significant correlations between blood pressure, age and BMI (p<0.001). There is a low level of awareness of hypertension in this institution. The determinants of hypertension in this tertiary institution are marriage, low socio-economic status and older age.

Keywords: Hypertension, Prevalence, Awareness, Socio-demographic, Tertiary Institution.