Hypertension and Risk Factors Among Traders in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and the associated socio-demographic and lifestyle risk factors for hypertension among traders in Enugu, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The study design was cross sectional and systematic sampling method was used to select the 451 traders studied. Data was collected in February 2006 with a pretested questionnaire and also by direct measurement of respondents' blood pressure, height and weight.
Results: The prevalence of hypertension among these traders was 39.5% and it did not vary by gender; 37.9% for females and 40.5% for males. The hypertension rate among respondents increased with increasing age from 13.4% in ≤ 29year olds to 87.5% in ≥ 50 year olds and with decreasing educational attainment from 13.0% in the none-educated to 76.9% in the tertiary educated. Hypertension prevalence was highest in respondents who were separated, divorced or widowed (76.9%) and lowest in the unmarried (19.3%) while a positive family history of hypertension was associated with greater hypertension rate. Hypertension rate was more in tobacco users but did not vary with use of alcohol. Hypertension prevalence decreased with increasing physical activity of traders ranging from 49.8% in sedentary traders to 22.4% in those engaged in adequate physical activity. The hypertension rate was positively correlated with the BMI of respondents ranging from 29.0% for BMI ≤ 24 kgm2 to 73.5% for BMI ≥ 30 kgm2. Hypertension was positively associated with the number of lifestyle risk factors found in respondents varying from 22.2% in those without risks to 52.4% in traders with all the 4 risks present.
Conclusion: The rate of hypertension was high among the study group while the associated risk factors were many. Efforts should be made to reduce the modifiable risk factors present among these traders through health education and other specific health programmes


Keywords: Nigeria, hypertension, hypertensive risk factors, lifestyle, traders

Journal of College of Medicine Vol. 13 (2) 2008: pp.111-115