Prevalence of Hypertension in a rural community in southeast Nigeria; an opportunity for early intervention.

Abstract BackgroundHypertension is a leading cause of non-communicable morbidity in Sub Saharan Africa. Recent studies suggest and increase in the prevalence of hypertension in rural Sub Saharan Africa.MethodsUsing a three-phase approach, the WHO STEPS-wise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases was used to determine the prevalence of hypertension in a rural settlement is Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. Blood pressure measurement was done according to the guidelines of the European Society of Hypertension. ResultsOut of 1576 participants aged 18 years and above, 976 (74.9%) completed the full survey and their blood pressure was measured, and data analysed. The prevalence of hypertension was 27.3%, (95%CI 24.5-30.2); similar in males (28.8, 95%CI 24.1-33.9) and females 166(26.4%, 95%CI 23.0-30.0). p= 0.415. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age reaching a peak of 33.6% (95%CI 25.7-42.1) among people aged 50-59 years. P= 0.06. The age-related increase in the prevalence of hypertension was statistically significant in males (p=0.04) but not in females. (p=0.15). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels correlated with older age and higher fasting blood glucose levels while diastolic blood pressure negatively correlated with level of education. Awareness of hypertension was low (7.9%).ConclusionThe prevalence of hypertension in a rural southeastern Nigeria community is 27.3%, however awareness was very low (7.9%). Most participants had mild hypertension thus offering a window of opportunity for public health educators in preventing the complication of hypertension. There is therefore the need for awareness campaigns to be intensified in rural communities.