Predictors of Hypertension in a Population of Undergraduate Students in Sierra Leone

Abstract

We report on the first survey of hypertension in undergraduates in Sierra Leone. Levels of hypertension (12%) and obesity (4%) appear low compared to the general population but given the rapid increase of both and the expectation that many graduates will enter the formal employment sector and a sedentary lifestyle, there is still cause for concern. We measured their BMI (body mass index) and used a questionnaire to investigate demographic and lifestyle choices. In agreement with most authorities, we found that BMI and age were statistically significant predictors of systolic and diastolic blood pressure but that the explanatory power was low ( = 0.21 to 0.27). Men may be more sensitive than women to an increase in BMI on blood pressure ( < 0.1). We failed to find statistically significant relationships with ethnicity, religion, stress, course of study, levels of physical activity, diet, smoking, or consumption of caffeine and alcohol. Family history of hypertension, consumption of red palm oil, and self-diagnosed attacks of typhoid fever were close to conventional levels of significance ( < 0.1). We intend to use this as a baseline for longitudinal studies to assess risks and suggest appropriate public health action.

Debunking highly prevalent health misinformation using audio dramas delivered by WhatsApp: evidence from a randomised controlled trial in Sierra Leone

“…[31][32][33][34] In Sierra Leone, there is widespread misinformation regarding typhoid, and in particular, widespread belief that typhoid and malaria are closely related. 35 Interestingly, people commonly conceptualise typhoid and malaria as a single disease, 'typhoid-malaria'. The belief structure linking these diseases is complex and varied.…”

Cardio-metabolic risk among undergraduate medical students of a selected Faculty of Medicine in Colombo

“…While no one was having hypertension in our study sample, 4% had pre-hypertension, which marks a risk of developing hypertension in future and this could be a result of unhealthy diet and stressful lifestyle as well as familial tendency. When compared to results from other studies done in the region and the world (8,19,20,21,22,23), this prevalence is not high. According to these studies, the prevalence of hypertension among medical students and other undergraduates with ages ranging from 18 to 36 years, varied between 1.3% and 17% while the prevalence of pre-hypertension was much higher.…”

Prevalence and biosocial determinants of hypertension in a rural population in Edo State, Southern Nigeria

“…In fact, several studies considered the duo of age and BMI as the most significant predictor of hypertension in Nigeria 20,21,22 and elsewhere. 23,24 Firstly, the association of obesity with hypertension is important; as obesity is modifiable, it could have a strategic place in management of hypertension. Secondly, the prevalence of obesity is on the increase, and is presently assuming epidemic dimensions in several countries including Nigeria.…”

“…This is similar to the report of Lebbie et al where the association between family history of hypertension and blood pressure was only close to conventional level of significance ( p < 0.1 but not > 0.05). 23 A number of studies have however reported that a family history of hypertension could predict hypertension in relatives. 32 , 33 It is important to note that such self-report of history of illness or diagnosis without any objective confirmation may be prone to report or recall bias.…”