KNOWLEDGE, RISK PERCEPTION AND PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AMONG RESIDENTS OF IBADAN-NORTH LGA OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Globally, hypertension is a major public health challenge. It is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In Nigeria, hypertension is the most frequently diagnosed cardiovascular disorder and its complications constitute approximately 25% of emergency medical admissions in urban hospitals. Knowledge of risk factors (RFs) could influence adherence to control measures. This study aimed at determining the knowledge, risk perception and prevalence of hypertension among residents of lbadan-North LGA of Oyo state, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out interviewing 806 (male 285 and female 521) adults aged 18-90 years from 171 households selected by cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using "WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS 1 & 2)" and " International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)". Hypertension was defined as Systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 and/or Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90mm Hg or currently on anti-hypertensive medication. Knowledge of RFs was assessed on a 0-10 point scale. A score of ≥ 7 was judged good knowledge, while a score of <7 was judged poor knowledge of RF. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and binary logistic regression tests at p<0.05. The overall prevalence of hypertension in this study was 33.1 % (male 36.8% and female 31.1%). The mean age of the subjects was 38.8 ±15.6 years. Overweight and obesity was found in 29.5% and 13.3% respectively. Single, married and widow/er were recorded in 18.4%, 72.1% and 8.6%, respectively. More than half (58.0%) of the respondents had good knowledge of RFs. About one-third (30.9%) of the respondents perceived they were at risk of hypertension. Hypertension was significantly associated with being 60 years or older, being a widow/er, not having more than primary education, being unemployed, being obese, not engaging in moderate physical activities in the preceding 7 days, perceived being at risk of having hypertension, and having lived in the community for thirty years or more. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that being in age groups 30-49 years (OR 2.258, 95% CI: 1.311 - 3.884) and ≥ 50 years (OR 7.145, 95% Cl: 3.644 - 14.011) predicted hypertension. The odds of developing hypertension was two times more among overweight/obese respondents, compared to those with BMI in the normal category (OR 2.281, 95% Cl: 1.022 - 5.088). Underweight respondents were protected from hypertension (OR 0.537, 95% Cl: 0.395 - 0.832). Knowledge of RFs was not significantly associated with hypertension. This study found a high prevalence of hypertension. More than half of the respondents had good knowledge of risk factors, while one-third of them perceived they were at risk of hypertension. This underscores the need for urgent steps to create awareness and implement interventions for prevention and early detection of hypertension especially among those aged ≥ 30 years, overweight/obese, and the widow/er.