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Prevalence of hypertension in a rural community in southeastern Nigeria; an opportunity for early intervention

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 37, pages 694–700 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Hypertension is a leading cause of non-communicable morbidity in Sub Saharan Africa. Recent studies suggest and increase in the prevalence of hypertension in rural Sub-Saharan Africa. Using a three-phase approach, a structured questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of hypertension in a rural settlement is Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. Blood pressure measurement was done according to the guidelines of the European Society of Hypertension. Out of 1576 participants aged 18 years and above, 1082 (68.7%) completed the full survey, their blood pressure was measured, and data analyzed. The prevalence of hypertension in this study was 27.6%, (95%CI 25–30.4), similar in males 29.2, (95%CI 24.7–30.4) and females 26.8%, (95%CI 23.5–30.2). p = 0.39. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age reaching a peak of 32.8% (95%CI 26.2–40) in the 40–49 age group, however this was not statistically significant P = 0.22. This age-related increase in the prevalence of hypertension tended towards significance in males (p = 0.05) but not in females (p = 0.44). Awareness of hypertension was 7.2%. Systolic blood pressure positively correlated with older age, higher blood glucose levels and waist-hip ratio. Diastolic blood pressure correlated with the type of work the patients is involved in and blood glucose levels. In conclusion, the prevalence of hypertension in a rural southeastern Nigeria community was 27.6%, however awareness was very low (7.9%). Most participants had mild hypertension thus offering a window of opportunity for public health educators in preventing the complications of hypertension. There is therefore the need for awareness campaigns to be intensified in rural communities.

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Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the contribution of the community and church leaders during the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

    Birinus A. Ezeala-Adikaibe, Chigekwu Nkeiruka Mbadiwe, Umezurike Hughes Okafor, Ume Monday Nwobodo, Chibuzo Celestine Okwara, Chibuike Paul Okoli, Obumneme Benneth Anyim, Ekene Gideon Anigbo, Peter Ekpunobi Chime, Mark Sunday Ezeme, Chukwudi Godwin Onyebueke, Chinweuba Michael Abonyi, Callistus Afam Udeh, Chukwunonso Uzoma Okechukwu, Pauline Nkiruka Onodugo, Chukwubuzo Titus Okpara, Obiora Thomas Nnaji, Casmir Orjioke, Chinweike Fintan Ekochin, Laura Chinwe Onyekonwu & Ikechukwu Nnamdi Nwosu

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

    Birinus A. Ezeala-Adikaibe, Chigekwu Nkeiruka Mbadiwe, Chibuzo Celestine Okwara, Pauline Nkiruka Onodugo, Laura Chinwe Onyekonwu, Obinna Donatus Onodugo & Ikechukwu Nnamdi Nwosu

  3. Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

    Ijeoma Obumneme-Anyim

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Birinus A Ezeala-Adikaibe conceptualized the work and wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed financially for the study and physically collected data and examined the participants. All the authors also revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Birinus A. Ezeala-Adikaibe.

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Ezeala-Adikaibe, B.A., Mbadiwe, C.N., Okafor, U.H. et al. Prevalence of hypertension in a rural community in southeastern Nigeria; an opportunity for early intervention. J Hum Hypertens 37, 694–700 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-023-00833-x

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