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September 29, 2026F1000ResearchOpen Access

Self-reported Hypertension, Awareness, Knowledge, and Risk-related Lifestyle Factors among Final-year University Students in Enugu, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

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Key result

~11% of Nigerian university students report a prior high BP diagnosis alongside persistent risk behaviors.

  • n=317

Why the study?

Hypertension awareness, screening practices, and previous diagnosis among university students remain underdescribed in many Nigerian university settings.

Population

317 final-year undergraduate students at the University of Nigeria, mean age 23.94 ± 2.00 years

Design

Descriptive cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire

Authors

IIIhunanya IbekweUniversity of Uyo Teaching HospitalEIEsomchukwu IdemiliUniversity of NigeriaCIChidera IfeadikeWestern Delta University

Discussion

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Overview

Suggests hypertension screening gaps persist among Nigerian youth; leaves open the impact of lifestyle interventions on future cardiovascular events.

Key Points

  • To assess self-reported hypertension, awareness, knowledge, and risk-related lifestyle and psychosocial factors among final-year undergraduate university students.
  • Conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey among 317 final-year undergraduate students selected via multistage sampling at the University of Nigeria.
  • Collected data using a self-administered questionnaire measuring sociodemographics, hypertension knowledge, lifestyle patterns, and academic stress, with self-reported high blood pressure diagnosis as the primary outcome.
  • While 90.5% had heard of hypertension and 93.1% showed good awareness, only 57.7% had ever undergone blood pressure screening, and fewer than 50% recognized <120/80 mmHg as normal blood pressure.
  • A previous diagnosis of high blood pressure was reported by 11.4% of students (mean age 23.94 ± 2.00 years).
  • Risk-related lifestyle factors were prevalent, characterized by low physical activity, frequent intake of salty/fatty foods and caffeine, short sleep duration, and very high semester academic stress reported by 40.4%.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=317)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P
Population
317 final-year undergraduate students at the University of Nigeria assessed for self-reported hypertension, awareness, knowledge, and risk-related lifestyle factors.
O
Outcome
Self-reported previous diagnosis of high blood pressurepatient reported

Despite high awareness of hypertension, a significant proportion of young university students in Nigeria exhibit knowledge gaps, widespread risk-related behaviors, and low screening rates, with 11.4% reporting a previous diagnosis of high blood pressure.

Cite This Study

Ibekwe et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=317). Risk-related lifestyle and psychosocial factors was evaluated on Self-reported previous diagnosis of high blood pressure. Among final-year university students in Nigeria, 11.4% reported a previous diagnosis of high blood pressure, coexisting with high awareness but persistent knowledge gaps and risk-related behaviors.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6abb3e235eb570e077ea1638https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.186444.1
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Also Consider

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