AWARENESS AND PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AMONG RURAL DWELLERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of premature death among non-communicable diseases especially in low and middle-income countries Sudden deaths are on the increase in our rural communities especially among the middle-aged.

Objective: To ascertain the level of awareness and prevalence of hypertension among rural dwellers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in rural communities of Ebonyi State. A participant is classified as hypertensive if the systolic blood pressure is ≥ 140mmhg and/or diastolic blood pressure≥90mmhg. The blood pressure measurement was carried out using a standard instrument and technique. Any person who was ≥ 18 years and resided in the community and gave consent was included in the study. Such persons who declined at the commencement of the study for whatever reason were excluded. The sampling method was a convenient technique. The study instrument was semi- semi-structured paper-based interviewer-administered questionnaire written in local dialects.

Results: The study participants are 417 in number, 182(43.6%) are males and 335(56.4%) females, age group 31-50 years and 351(84%) are farmers. Only 78(18.7%) of them are aware of the disease called hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 90(21.6%\) and out of this, only 28(6.7%) are on antihypertensive medication.

Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of hypertension among rural dwellers in Ebonyi State with a low level of awareness of the disease. Also, most of the hypertensive study participants are not on medication. Public health education on hypertension is needed in the state.