Determinants of Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients Attending a Rural Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is the commonest cardiovascular risk factor in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a global public health threat, often associated  with significant morbidities and mortality with rising prevalence both in rural and semi-urban areas of economically disadvantaged countries.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the determinants of blood pressure control among patients with hypertension receiving care at the Irrua Specialist  Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 502 consenting hypertensive adults receiving care at the Irrua  Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua in Edo State, South-south Nigeria. A pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to  collect data which was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: Five hundred and two participants (226  males, 276 females) completed the study with a mean age of 52.98 ± 12.82 years. Optimal blood  pressure control was found in 15.5% of the study participants. Blood pressure control was significantly associated with being married (OR 1.549, CI:  1.040‑2.309), having a monthly household income of over N50,000 (OR 1.691, CI: 0.999-2.863), engaging in physical activity (OR = 1.537, CI: 0.989-2.388),  and not being obese evidenced by a normal Waist Hip Ratio (OR = 2.276, CI: 1.555-3.332).

Conclusion: Blood pressure control to target goal was low in the  study population and achieved only in less than one‑fifth of respondents on antihypertensive therapy. Numerous socio-demographic and lifestyle  variables were shown to be associated with blood pressure control. Physicians should emphasize medication adherence and lifestyle modification  approaches in hypertensive adults.