Blood Pressure Pattern and Hypertension Related Risk Factors in an Urban Community in Southwest Nigeria: The Mokola Hypertension Initiative Project, Ibadan, Nigeria

Monday, 18 August 2014
Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)
IkeOluwapo O Ajayi, PhD , College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Adaeze Asinobi, MD , College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Nathaniel Afolabi, MS , College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Idowu Ayede, MD , College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Solomon Kadiri, MD , College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Elijah A Bamgboye, PhD , College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Makinde Soyannwo, MD , College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
INTRODUCTION: An epidemic of premature cardiovascular mortality and early appearance of hypertension, a risk factor, is developing in Nigeria. To plan effective life course approach to prevention, the magnitude of the problem across all ages needs to be ascertained.

METHODS: House to house baseline total population survey was carried out in Mokola, a multi-tribal community, inhabited mainly by low/middle class families. Interview with semi-structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements of 5540 persons aged ≥3 years was carried out. Average of three blood pressure readings was used. Hypertension (HTN) was defined as BP ≥140/90mm Hg in any individual or ≥95 percentile for gender and age in children.  Obesity was determined using International Obesity Task Force classification.  Logistic regression was used to examine the association of body mass index, age, gender and hypertension.

RESULTS: Children, adolescents and adults (≥ 18 years) constituted 17.1%, 14.6% and 68.3% of the subjects, respectively. Prevalence of hypertension was 27.3% in adults and 12.8% in children < 18 years. Isolated systolic hypertension was found in 20.0% adults and 8.3% children while isolated diastolic HTN was found in 3.4% adult and children, respectively. Obesity was present in 13.1% children and 23.2% adults.  Among adults, 8.3% ever smoked, 27.0% used alcohol and 42.4% mentioned they engaged in regular exercise. Significant association (p<0.001) was found between being male, widowed, employed, obese and use of alcohol and tobacco and hypertension in adults. Children obese were 1.03-2.20 times and adult overweight and obese were 1.7-2.5 and 1.9-2.7 times, respectively more likely to be hypertensive. Being male adult and above 18 years were 1.1-1.5 times and 2.2-3.0 times, respectively, more likely to be hypertensive. 

 CONCLUSION: Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors were found associated with the high prevalence of hypertension in this population. Life course and community based approach to intervention with focus on lifestyle is suggested to stem the increasing trend in hypertension.