Hypertension prevalence and awareness among a health workforce in Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Hypertension is now being widely reported in Africa and it is a major factor in the high mortality of adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately hypertension is often unnoticed and undiagnosed because it is usually asymptomatic. As such, many people with hypertension are unaware of their condition. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and related risk factors and to assess the level of awareness of hypertensive status among the health workers. This study is a descriptive survey carried out among the health workers at the Baptist Medical Centre Ogbomoso, Nigeria. A total of 324 consenting health workers of the institution were enrolled for the study. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. Measurements of blood pressure, weight and height were carried out and body mass indices were calculated.The prevalence of hypertension is 20.1% in the studied population. A strong association was found between the prevalence of hypertension and increasing age, body mass index, alcohol consumption and duration of employment. Awareness of hypertensive status was good as 64.7% of the hypertensive subjects in this study were aware of their status.There is a higher awareness of hypertensive status among the health workers in this study than in the general populace. Approximately a third of the health workers were however unaware of their hypertensive status. This demonstrates the asymptomatic nature of the disease and as such routine screening is very important even among health workers.

Central Obesity and Stress- Predisposing Factors to Hypertension among Health Workers in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria

“…This buttresses the fact that hypertension is a silent killer which shows no symptom until there is manifestation of cardiovascular disorders [24]. Prevalence of hypertension among the health workers in this study is similar to what Owolabi et al, [25] reported among the health workforce in Baptist Medical Hospital, Ogbomoso. But, hypertension in this study is lower than 36.6% which Ojomu et al, [19] reported among health workers in the same study location six years earlier.…”

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal Hospital, Ghana

“…However, the rate is lower than the 17.5% to 37.5% recorded among health workers in a systematic review of hypertension prevalence in West Africa as well as the 34% prevalence reported among College of Health Sciences employees in a Ghanaian University [ 17 , 29 ]. Moreover, prevalence rates higher than that of the current study have also been reported in Nigerians [ 30 ], Indians [ 3 ], and Europeans [ 5 ]. Of particular interest in the current study is the high rate of prehypertension observed among this apparently healthy Ghanaian health work professionals.…”

Undiagnosed Hypertension in a Workplace: The Case of a Logistics Company in Gauteng, South Africa

“…The overall prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension (50%) recorded among employees in this study is high. This prevalence is almost similar to the 52% reported among a working population in South Africa [18], but higher compared to prevalence reported among workforces in other countries, such as Brazil (32%) [49] and Nigeria (20.1%) [50]. A South African study on hypertension among primary health care professional nurses has reported that 41% of the health care workers were unaware of their hypertensive status [18].…”