Prevalence of Hypertension and Assessment of its Risk Factors among Traders in Rukuba-Road Satellite Market in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hypertension has continued to remain a global public health challenge, contributing to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and economic cost. Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors have been linked to hypertension.

Aim: The study aimed at assessing the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among traders in the Rukuba-road Satellite market in Jos-North LGA, Jos, Plateau State.

Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional descriptive survey was used. Three hundred and fifty participants (traders) were drawn from 3017 static shops using the Cochran analysis formula of sample size calculation between June and July 2019. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Demographic characteristics and the knowledge, attitude, and practice of risk factors for hypertension were gotten using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were also obtained. The analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained before the commencement of the study.

Results: Three hundred and twenty-three traders comprising 190 (58.8%) females and 133 (41.2%) males participated in the study. The majority of the traders (40.9%) had average knowledge, 78.6% had a good attitude and 75.6% had average practice on proper lifestyle for prevention of hypertension and its risk factors. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) were 127 ± 19 mmHg and 79 ± 11 mmHg, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension among the participants was 32.2% (104 participants) of which 58 (55.8%) were unaware of their hypertensive status. Nonmodifiable risk factors of age (P = 0.000) and tribe (P = 0.006) and modifiable risk factors of body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.000) were statistically significant for hypertension. Predictors of hypertension using logistic regression were age (18–45 years) and BMI (18.5–34.9 kg/m²).

Conclusion: Present findings of the risk factors of hypertension remain a major public health problem in our society and more efforts are needed for its screening, prevention, early diagnosis, and proper management.