Prevalence of Home Based Blood Pressure Measurement and Its Relationship with Hypertension Control among Patients Seen at a Family Practice Clinic in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hypertension remains a major non-communicable disease with numerous complications when poorly managed. Presently, there is a growing emphasis on home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) particularly in the developed world. There is a dearth of local literature on the relevance of HBPM in hypertension management and it is not routinely prescribed for hypertensive patients in our practice population. This study was conducted to determine HBPM prevalence and its association with hypertension control.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 209 respondents at the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Demographic characteristics and blood pressure readings were obtained. HBPM was assessed using an intervieweradministered structured questionnaire.
Results: The prevalence of HBPM among the 209 respondents was 51(24.4%); 42(82.35%) of respondents who did HBPM achieved optimal BP control as opposed to 81(51.27%) of no HBPM respondents. In addition, HBPM was significantly associated with optimal BP control (p = 0.016) and was an independent predictor of optimal BP control as an outcome.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HBPM is low in our practice setting. HMBP is significantly associated with optimal hypertension control. Hence, it should be a routine recommendation for hypertensive patients

Key words: Home based blood pressure monitoring, Hypertension, Control, Prevalence, Relationship