Key result
Hypertension detection practices are suboptimal among GPs, with only ~47% aware of guidelines.
Why the study?
Hypertension control remains a major public health and clinical challenge, and the conformity of Lagos-based general practitioners' detection and evaluation practices to international guidelines was unclear.
Cross-Sectional (n=403)
Signals urgent need for GP education on hypertension guidelines in Lagos; leaves open optimal implementation strategies and outcome impact.
INTRODUCTION: Hypertension (HTN) control is a major public health and clinical challenge. A number of guidelines exist globally to assist in tackling this challenge. The aim of this study was to determine conformity of the HTN detection and evaluation practices of a sample of Lagos-based general practitioners (GPs) to international guidelines. METHODS: Self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect data from a cohort of GPs attending continuing medical education programs in Lagos. RESULTS: Out of the 460 GPs that were approached, 435 agreed to participate in the study, with questionnaires from 403 GPs analyzed. The average age and number of years post-registration of the GPs were 40.0 ± 11.3 years and 14.3 ± 11.1 years, respectively. Two thirds (n = 269) were in private practice. Their daily average total and HTN patients' loads were 17.4 ± 14.3 and 4.4 ± 3.5, respectively. Awareness of HTN guidelines was 46.7% (n = 188), while 18.1% (n = 73) was able to name one or more HTN guidelines. The approaches of these GPs to the detection and evaluation of HTN and their relationships to the GPs' experience were heterogeneous. DISCUSSION: The approach of the GPs to detection and evaluation of HTN though heterogeneous is unsatisfactory and may partly contribute to poor HTN control in Nigeria. Strengthening the capacity of GPs in this regard through continuous medical education may greatly improve HTN control.
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Ale et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (clinical practice approaches) (n=403). General medical practice / Clinical experience was evaluated on Conformity of hypertension detection and evaluation practices to international guidelines. Among 403 general practitioners in Lagos, approaches to hypertension detection and evaluation were highly heterogeneous and suboptimal, with only 46.7% aware of hypertension guidelines and 18.1% able to name them.
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