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risk factors for hypertension among urban males in mombasa kenya
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess socio-cultural factors associated with hypertension among adult males of Mombasa in Kenya.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A community based cross-sectional study was done in Mombasa Old Town area, whereby males aged 15 yrs and above attending mosque after prayers were randomly requested to participate in the study. Data was collected using structured English questionnaires.
Hypertension (HT) risk factors were assessed, followed by physical examination for obesity anthropometric measurements and blood pressure measurements. Questionnaires were coded and data entered in a computer and analyzed by epi info 2002 statistical computer program.
RESULTS:
The Prevalence of Hypertension in the population was found to be 6.7%, increase in age and smoking were found to be a predisposing risk factor for HT. Smokers had significant risk ratio of 4 in acquiring HT. It was also noted that Chewing of Miraa and Drinking alcohol had no significant association as a risk predisposing to HT.
Although many alcohol consumers had HT. Occupation was not significantly associated with HT. The study unveiled that physical exercise had protective effect there by decreasing the risk of having HT. High Body Mass index (BMI) and Weight to Hip ration (WHR) was a predisposing risk factor for having HT.
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
Doing physical exercise was found to have protective association towards HT. It has been also noted that those people who had hypertension and were on regular medication were relatively better, thus physicians should intervene as early as possible so as to block the natural history of this debilitating disease.
To assess socio-cultural factors associated with hypertension among adult males of Mombasa in Kenya.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A community based cross-sectional study was done in Mombasa Old Town area, whereby males aged 15 yrs and above attending mosque after prayers were randomly requested to participate in the study. Data was collected using structured English questionnaires.
Hypertension (HT) risk factors were assessed, followed by physical examination for obesity anthropometric measurements and blood pressure measurements. Questionnaires were coded and data entered in a computer and analyzed by epi info 2002 statistical computer program.
RESULTS:
The Prevalence of Hypertension in the population was found to be 6.7%, increase in age and smoking were found to be a predisposing risk factor for HT. Smokers had significant risk ratio of 4 in acquiring HT. It was also noted that Chewing of Miraa and Drinking alcohol had no significant association as a risk predisposing to HT.
Although many alcohol consumers had HT. Occupation was not significantly associated with HT. The study unveiled that physical exercise had protective effect there by decreasing the risk of having HT. High Body Mass index (BMI) and Weight to Hip ration (WHR) was a predisposing risk factor for having HT.
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
Doing physical exercise was found to have protective association towards HT. It has been also noted that those people who had hypertension and were on regular medication were relatively better, thus physicians should intervene as early as possible so as to block the natural history of this debilitating disease.
