Prevalence and awareness of prehypertension and hypertension among artisans in two selected local government areas of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hypertension and its complications constitute a major health challenge worldwide.

Objective: This study therefore investigated the prevalence and awareness of hypertension and prehypertension in two selected local government areas of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Materials and Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using six hundred and twenty Artisans (300 males and 320 females) aged between 18 and 65 years from two local government areas of Ebonyi State. Structured, validated, pre- tested interviewer administered questionnaire were used to collect data on respondents' socio-demographic characteristics. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured using standard procedures. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version16.0).

Result: The mean age (in years) of participants was 30.5±11.5 (males) and 30.5±11.5 (females).The mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.8±2.9 kg/m² (males) and 24.4 ±3.7kg/m² (females). Overweight was significantly higher in males (33.7%) than in females (10.3%) (P<0.05) while obesity was significantly higher in females (6.6%) than in males (2.7%) (P <0.05).The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension on all the participants were 33.1% and 14.8%, respectively. Prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in women (20.3%) than men (9.0%) (P < 0.05). Up to 68.3% of males and 71.6%, of females were not aware of hypertension (P >0.05) while 72.0% male and 90.9% females had not checked their blood pressure before.

Conclusion: High prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension along with poor awareness of hypertension and poor monitoring of blood pressure were observed. Intensive health education is recommended in the communities.