Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension in an Agrarian Rural Community in Southeast Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease of increasing global burden with prevalence in Nigeria ranging from 8% to 46.4%. AIM: To determine the prevalence and determinants of hypertension in Igbeagu, a rural community in South-Eastern Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Consenting residents aged 18 years and above participated in this survey. A structured questionnaire was administered on the participants in their native dialect. Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric parameters of the participants were measured using standard techniques. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic BP of ≥ 90 mmHg. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-seven participants had their BP and data completed satisfactorily. Sixty-two persons were hypertensive, giving a prevalence rate of 23.2% (62/267). Age, consumption of red meat, body mass index (BMI), and the number of children in the family were associated with hypertension. Regression analysis showed that only BMI and age were independent risk factors for hypertension. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of hypertension in this study and their associated risk factors were in agreement with studies done previously in Nigeria, the association between number of children in the family and hypertension is yet to be understood. Efforts are needed to curb the high prevalence of hypertension in this community.