Key result
Married women in rural coastal Nigeria were significantly more likely to have had their blood pressure measured compared to single women (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.8-20.1; P=0.002).
Cross-Sectional (n=77)
Yes
Odds Ratio: 5.9 (95% CI 1.8–20.1)
p-value: p=0.002
There is a relatively high prevalence of hypertension (18.2%) coupled with limited knowledge (43% unaware) among women in rural coastal communities in Nigeria, highlighting the need for targeted health education and screening.
Marital status was associated with BP screening rates in rural Nigerian women; leaves open whether targeted outreach for single women would improve detection.
Aims: This study attempted to describe the prevalence and perception of hypertension (HPT) among consenting female adults in two rural communities on the Atlantic coastline of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Study Design: This was a community-based descriptive survey design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Iyafin and Ketu-Ejirin in Lagos State, Original Research Article Afolabi et al.; BJESBS, 5(3): 354-367, 2015; Article no.BJESBS.2015.029 355 Nigeria, between March and June 2014. Methodology: To accomplish this aim, a structured questionnaire was served to all parents/caregivers who brought their children to an on-going malaria program so as to evaluate their perception of hypertension. Socio-demographic and other relevant data were obtained and resting blood pressure (BP) of each participant was measured. Hypertension, defined as systolic BP ≥140 and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, was categorized into mild, moderate and severe. Data were analyzed using STATA 13. Results: A total of 77 adult females (mean age 33.4 years) participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension in our study participants was 18.2% while 19.5% of the participants presented with elevated systolic blood pressure only and 26.0% with elevated diastolic blood pressure only. Approximately 24%, 7% and 2% of married participants presented with mild, moderate and severe diastolic hypertension respectively and 20.8% of hypertensive participants measured their BP more than 2 years prior to survey. A proportion (33, 43%) of the participants did not know what hypertension is while 14 (18%) and 11(14%) respectively related it to excessive thinking and fear. Married participants were about 6 times more likely to have had their BP measured (χ2=9.2, P = 0.002, OR=5.9, CI =1.8, 20.1) compared to single participants. The commonest reason for measuring BP was general check-up (13%) among single and illness-related (23%) among married participants. Majority of single (73%) and married (53%) participants wanted their BP measured to know about personal health problems. Linear regression analysis showed a positive significant relationship between both systolic blood pressure and length of time of last BP measurement (Coef. = 0.20, P=0.01). Conclusion: Findings in our study suggest a relatively high prevalence of hypertension among women in rural coastline communities in Nigeria coupled with limited knowledge and misconception of the disease. This gap in knowledge and misconception could impact negatively on their healthseeking attitude and family life, calling for an aggressive approach to health promotion/education on and regular screening of hypertension in these coastal rural communities.
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Afolabi et al. (2014) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=77). Married status vs. Single status was evaluated on Previous blood pressure measurement (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.8-20.1, p=0.002). Married women in rural coastal Nigeria were significantly more likely to have had their blood pressure measured compared to single women (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.8-20.1; P=0.002).
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