An assessment of the knowledge of risk factors and complications of hypertension among university undergraduates in north-western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges hypertension as a rising global public health concern with heavy morbidity and  mortality burdens in low-and-medium income (LMIC) countries. Recent trends also reportedly implicate younger populations. Assessing the knowledge of risk factors and complications of hypertension among university undergraduates was the main objective of this study.

Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 students selected by multi-stage sampling method cutting across diverse disciplines and  years of study. Structured, self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection; and SPSS (version 25) for data analysis. Results 2 were  presented in tables and chi-square (x ) test was used to test for associations (p ≤ 0.05).

Results: Most of the respondents were less than 30 years old (97.2%), unmarried (93.7%) and 53.2% were males. Only 14.8% and 23% of them had at least  good knowledge of risk factors and complications of hypertension, respectively. Family members (58.9%), medical personnel (43.3%) and the  electronic media (39.5%) were the main sources of information. Marital status and courses of study were statistically significant determinants of  knowledge of complications of hypertension.

Conclusions: The need to address existing knowledge gaps (by stakeholders within and outside the health sector) regarding hypertension among young people with a view to promoting healthy lifestyles in advance and preventing the onset of hypertension as well as it's attendant complications is advocated.