Hypertension and anxiety in young Nigerian Adults: A study of an undergraduate population

Abstract

There is, as yet, no consensus on the relationship between anxiety and hypertension. While a few studies have investigated the topic in sub-Saharan Africa, there is no such literature in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 1654 apparently healthy young (mean age: 21.6±2.2 years), Nigerian adults (57.6% males) was conducted. Their blood pressures (BPs), weights and heights were measured using standard protocols. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and self-reported age at last birthday was recorded per subject. Anxiety was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyze the data generated. A total of 1.5% (1.6% for males and 1.4% for females, P = 0.561) had high degree of anxiety. Hypertension was found in 2.4% (4% for males and 0.1% for female, P = 0.043) of the population while prehypertension was found in 39.7% (53.2% for males and 21.5% for females, P = <0.001) of the population. Of the hypertensive subjects, 2.6% (2.6% for males Vs 0.0% for females) had high degree of anxiety. Mean blood pressures (within the sexes) were similar (P>0.05) between the low anxiety group and each of the moderate and high anxiety groups. No significant correlations or associations were found between BAI scores and systolic or diastolic BPs. Hypertension was not associated with anxiety in the studied population. The prevalence of both hypertension and anxiety in this population is one of the lowest in recorded literature. Further studies are warranted (especially in sub-Saharan Africa) to examine further, the hypothesis that both factors are associated.

Keywords: anxiety, association, blood pressure, hypertension, young adults

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol. 9 No. 3 (2012)