Prevalence of hypertension in three rural communities of Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, South West Nigeria

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of hypertension is increasing rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa, but data are limited on hypertension prevalence. In addition, few population-based studies have been conducted recently in Nigeria on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension in both urban and rural communities. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of hypertension in adults in the three rural communities of Ipetumodu, Edunabon, and Moro, in South West Nigeria.

Materials and methods

One thousand adults between 15 and 90 years of age were recruited into this cross-sectional study, over a 6-month period, using a multistage proportional stratified random sampling technique. Sociodemographic data and anthropometric variables were obtained, and resting blood pressure (BP) was measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer. Diagnosis of hypertension was based on the JNC VII guidelines, the WHO/ISH 1999 guidelines, and the BP threshold of 160/95 mmHg.

Results

Four hundred and eighty-six men (48.6%) men and 514 women (51.4%) participated in the study. Their mean age, weight, height, and body mass index were 32.3±14.7 years, 62±13 kg, 1.5±0.1 m, and 23.02 kg/m², respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, based on the 140/90 mmHg definition, was 26.4% (Male: 27.3%; Female: 25.4%). The prevalence of hypertension, based on the 160/95 mmHg definition, was 11.8% (Male: 13.5%; Female: 10.1%). There were significant positive correlations between BP and some anthropometric indicators of obesity.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hypertension in the three rural communities was 26.4%, indicating a trend towards increasing prevalence of hypertension. There was also a significant positive correlation between anthropometric indicators of obesity and BP in this population.

Keywords:

• hypertension
• Nigeria
• prevalence
• rural communities

Introduction

Hypertension is a global public health problem, accounting for substantial morbidity and mortality through heart disease, stroke, blindness, and renal failure.^1,2 Globally, it accounts for at least 45% of heart disease, and 51% of deaths resulting from stroke.¹ Hypertension was once considered rare in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but it has become currently a widespread problem, with immense socioeconomic importance.³ In addition, there is evidence that the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases is increasing rapidly in SSA.^4,5 Mass migration of rural Africans to urban areas and rapid changes in lifestyle and risk factors account for this rising prevalence.³

The epidemiological picture of hypertension in SSA, compared against other regions, is grimmer, with the region having the highest prevalence, of 46%, compared against 30% in high-income countries.^6,7 This high prevalence is expected to be reflected in increased prevalence of complications of hypertension in the region. It has also been projected that this prevalence will continue to increase at an alarming rate, with SSA bearing the brunt of the disease burden because of ignorance, poverty, inadequate health care provision, and erosion of traditional lifestyles.^3,8,9

This will impose considerable strain on scarce health resources, and further impoverish the region. Therefore, the thrust of public health policies within the region should be primary prevention of hypertension.¹⁰ Success of these primary prevention programs will be dependent on accurate estimates of the prevalence of hypertension in our communities. This will enable precise quantification of the burden imposed by hypertension on our national and regional resources.

Epidemiological transition is at various stages in different places, and the true situation in SSA is largely unknown,¹¹ especially in the rural areas.¹² Therefore, there is an important need for better epidemiological data, and hypertension-related outcome trials in SSA.³ Data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, are scarce in SSA.¹³ In addition, limited information exists about the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and the burden of cardiovascular disease in the adult Nigerian population, especially in the rural setting.¹⁴ Moreover, few population-based studies have been conducted recently in Nigeria on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension among the populace, in both urban and rural communities.^{12,13,15–21}

Therefore, this study sought to determine the prevalence of hypertension in adult populations living in three rural communities of Ife North Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State, South West Nigeria. This will further help to define the pattern of hypertension in this rural population, and will also add to national and global databases.

Materials and methods

One thousand adults of age 15–90 years, from three rural towns of Ife North were recruited into this cross-sectional study over a 6-month period, using a multistage proportional stratified random sampling technique.²² The minimum sample size was determined using the formula for calculating sample size in the population;²³ the population of the Ife North LGA was 153,274, according to the 2006 population census.²⁴ The participants’ data were collected after community mobilization and consent. The permission of traditional rulers of each community was sought, and informed consent was obtained from each participant. The procedure followed the World Health Organization Guidelines for conducting community surveys.²⁵

Three major towns, Ipetumodu, Edunabon, and Moro, were randomly selected from the seven major towns of Ife North Local Government. Each of these towns, or communities, is divided further into census enumeration areas (EAs) for demographic purposes; Ipetumodu has 800 EAs, Edunabon has 340 EAs, and Moro has 130 EAs, according to the Ife North Local Government Local Government Office of the National Population Commission. Ten percent of EAs were randomly selected from each town, in proportion to the number of EAs in each town. This translated to 80 EAs for Ipetumodu, 34 EAs for Edunabon, and 13 EAs for Moro. Thereafter, households were randomly selected from each EA, where the selected household had at least one eligible respondent. Six households per EA were randomly selected in Ipetumodu, 10 households per EA in Edunabon, and 23 households per EA in Moro. In each household, at least one eligible and consenting respondent, of age 15 years or older, was interviewed.

Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife. All sociodemographic data were obtained using a standard questionnaire, and anthropometric variables and blood pressure (BP) were measured.^16,17 After about 10 minutes of quiet sitting, three readings of blood pressure (BP) were taken at intervals of 3–5 minutes using an electronic BP monitor (Omron Healthcare Inc, Vernon Hills, IL, USA), after calibration with a mercury sphygmomanometer, according to recommendations of the Nigerian Hypertension Society.^26,27 The mean of three BP readings was used for analysis, following the manufacturer’s guide.

Diagnosis of hypertension

In 1997, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services, Lagos, released the final report of a national survey on noncommunicable diseases in Nigeria, which included the prevalence of hypertension in both the rural and urban areas.^27,28 In this survey, hypertension was defined as mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 160/95 mmHg, using the 1978 definition of the World Health Organization;^16,29 this was the basis of the cutoff point used in this study. Hypertensive patients on regular drug therapy for hypertension were also included in this study.¹⁶ Based on the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNCVII) guidelines³⁰ and the World Health Organization and International Society of Hypertension guidelines (WHO/ISH),³¹ a second cutoff point for hypertension, of 140/90 mmHg, was adopted in this study, for comparison with other studies that used this criterion. Using the JNCVII classifications of hypertension,^16,30 participants were categorized as follows for SBP: normal: <120 mmHg; prehypertension: 120–139 mmHg; stage 1 hypertension: 140–159 mmHg; and stage 2 hypertension ≥160 mmHg. For DBP, participants were categorized as follows: normal: >80 mmHg; prehypertension: 80–89 mmHg; stage 1 hypertension: 90–99 mmHg; and stage 2 hypertension ≥100 mmHg. A subject with both SBP and DBP of ≥140/90 mmHg is hypertensive by JNCVII³⁰ and WHO/ISH 1999 criteria.³¹ With isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), SBP is ≥140 mmHg, while DBP is <90 mmHg. With isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), SBP is <140 mmHg, while DBP is ≥90 mmHg.

Weight was measured, in kilograms using a bathroom weighing scale with the subjects standing, arms hanging naturally at the sides, without footwear. Height was measured, in meters, using a stadiometer, to the crown of the head, the patient standing without any footwear or headgear and looking straight ahead. Waist circumference was measured, using a flexible measuring tape, at the midpoint between the lower border of the rib cage and the iliac crest.³²

Data analysis

The data were summarized using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and percentages). Independent t-tests were used to compare the age, physical characteristics, and blood pressure of males and females. Significant differences between variables across age groups were determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests. Multiple comparisons between groups were performed using one-way ANOVA with Duncan’s post hoc test. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15 statistical software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

A total of 1,000 adults, with age range 15–90 years, participated in the study: 486 men (48.6%) and 514 women (51.4%). Their mean age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were 32.3±14.7 years, 62±13 kg, 1.5±0.1 m, and 23.02 kg/m², respectively, as shown in Table 1. The mean SBP and DBP of all participants were 126±16.9 mmHg and 77±12.1 mmHg, respectively. The mean SBP was 126.5±18.4 mmHg for males, and 125.1±15.2 mmHg for females (P>0.05). The mean DBP was 77.5±11.7 mmHg for males, and 76.4±12.5 mmHg for females (P>0.05). Other descriptive variables except age were significantly different between sexes, as shown in Table 2 (P<0.01).

Table 1 Characteristics of the subjects (n=1,000)

	Min	Max	Mean ± SD
Age (years)	15	90	32±14.7
Height (m)	1.20	1.90	1.5±0.1
Weight (kg)	30	128	62±13.0
Waist circum (cm)	32	140	79.5±11.7
Hip circum (cm)	36	152	91.2±12.7
SBP (mmHg)	93	201	126±16.9
DBP (mmHg)	53	160	77.0±12.1

Note: Values expressed as mean ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; circum, circumference; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure.

Table 2 Difference in results between males and females (n=1,000)

	Male (n=486)	Female (n=514)	P-value
Age (years)	32±13.8	32.6±15.4	0.495
Height (m)	1.7±0.09	1.6±0.08	0.001*
Weight (kg)	63.5±13.0	60.9±11.8	0.000*
Waist circum (cm)	80.5±1.7	78.5±11.7	0.006*
Hip circum (cm)	92.4±11.8	90.1±13.5	0.005*
SBP (mmHg)	126.5±18.4	125.1±15.2	0.182
DBP (mmHg)	77.5±11.7	76.4±12.5	0.166

Notes: Values expressed as mean ± standard deviation.

* Significant at P<0.01.

Abbreviations: circum, circumference; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure.

Table 3 shows, the distribution of SBP, DBP, and waist circumference (WC), according to age. Differences were analyzed using ANOVA, and significant differences between age groups were discovered for WC (P<0.05), SBP (P<0.05), and DBP (P<0.05). Table 3 shows that SBP increased with age up to 61–70 years, while DBP increased up to 41–50 years old.

Table 3 Values of anthropometric variables across age groups (n=1,000)

Age group (years)	n	WC	SBP	DBP
15–20	223	73.98±7.54^a	122.14±14.02^a	75.42±11.20^a
21–30	383	77.74±9.21^a	125.01±15.53^a,b	76.19±11.99^a
31–40	185	82.92±14.56^b	125.03±15.03^a,b	77.25±11.46^a
41–50	89	84.35±12.07^b,c	129.73±18.57^b	80.06±13.54^a,b
51–60	61	87.08±15.30^b,c	130.85±24.69^b	76.72±13.63^a
61–70	42	88.31±11.95^c	137.50±24.92^c	82.33±13.06^b
71+	17	77.82±9.72^a	131.00±12.43^b	80.00±11.12^a,b
P-value		0.001	0.001	0.002

Notes: Values expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Groups with different superscripts are significantly different, while groups with similar superscripts are not significantly different from each other. For example, WC for age groups 15–20, 21–30, and 71+ (with superscript a) is not significantly different, while WC for age groups 21–30 and 31–40 (with superscripts a, b), is significantly different.

Abbreviations: WC, waist circumference; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure.

As shown in Table 4, the estimated prevalence of hypertension, based on the 140/90 mmHg definition, was 26.4% (Male: 27.3%; Female: 25.4%). Based on 160/95 mmHg definition, the estimated prevalence was 11.8% (Male: 13.5%; Female: 10.1%). The prevalence rates of ISH and IDH were 13.1% and 7.7%, respectively. Out of the 131 participants with ISH, there were 62 males (47.3%) and 69 females (52.7%). Out of the 77 subjects with IDH, there were 42 males (54.5%) and 35 females (45.5%).

Table 4 Prevalence estimates by BP definition

Definition	General (n=1,000)	Male (n=486)	Female (n=514)
≥140/90 mmHg	26.4	27.3	25.4
≥160/95 mmHg	11.8	13.5	10.1
ISH	3.8	47.3	52.7
IDH	6.4	54.5	45.5

Note: Values expressed in percentages.

Abbreviations: ISH, isolated systolic hypertension; IDH, isolated diastolic hypertension; BP, blood pressure.

The relationship between BP and some anthropometric indices is shown in Table 5. There was a significant correlation between WC and SBP and DBP, a significant correlation between hip circumference (HC) and DBP, and a significant correlation between BMI and SBP and DBP.

Table 5 Relationship between blood pressure and anthropometric indices

	SBP	DBP
WC	0.093**	0.141
HC	0.027	0.083**
BMI	0.075*	0.138**

Notes:

* Significant at P<0.05

** significant at P<0.01.

Abbreviations: WC, waist circumference; HC, hip circumference; BMI, body mass index; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure.

Discussion

In this study, the estimated prevalence of hypertension in these three rural communities equals 26.4%, using the 140/90 mmHg BP threshold, and equals 11.8%, using the 160/95 mmHg BP threshold. This implies that, on the basis of the 140/90 mmHg cutoff point, about three in ten adults were found to be hypertensive, and on the basis of the 160/95 mmHg cutoff, about 1 in 10 adults were found to be hypertensive in these communities. Hypertension prevalence of 11.8% in this study was higher than the prevalence of 4.5% among rural dwellers in Ghana (using BP > 160/95 mmHg as a cutoff) in 2003, and the estimates of 8%–10% among rural dwellers in Nigeria in 1997.^27,28

The 26.4% prevalence of hypertension that we obtained in these three rural communities is lower than recent estimates of hypertension prevalence, of 32.9% and 36.6%, in a semiurban community in Ghana,¹⁰ and in Nigeria,¹⁶ respectively, using the 140/90 mmHg definition. This finding corroborates earlier studies, which have observed lower BP and prevalence of hypertension in rural populations, compared against urban and semiurban populations in Africa.^3,9,33–36 We found that the prevalence of hypertension was higher in men than in women, as also shown in previous studies.^33–36 In addition, SBP increased with age up to 61–70 years, while DBP increased up to 41–50 years old. Earlier reports had also indicated increased hypertension with age.^28,37,38

The pattern of hypertension in this study showed a prevalence of ISH (13.1%) higher than that of IDH (7.7%), similar to earlier reports.^37,38 Our results also showed that there were significant positive correlations between some anthropometric indicators of obesity (WC, HC, and BMI) and BP. This finding supports earlier investigations, which have reported significant positive correlations between anthropometric factors, such as BMI, and SBP and DBP.^16,34,36

Some Nigerian authors have recently reported high prevalence of hypertension in some rural communities, as observed in this study. Oladapo et al¹⁴ found a 20.8% prevalence of hypertension, while Onwubere et al,¹² Asekun-Olarinmoye et al,¹⁸ Okeahialam et al,¹¹ Onwuchekwa et al,¹⁹ Andy et al,²⁰ and Ahaneku GI et al²¹ reported prevalence of 46.4%, 13.16%, 20.9%, 18.3%, 23.6%, and 44.5%, respectively, in their recent studies. These various studies on hypertension prevalence in Nigeria reported a wide range of prevalence rates using the BP cutoff point of 140/90 mmHg.

The prevalence rates range between 13.16%–46.4%; the reason for this wide disparity is due partly to methodological differences in these studies. Those who reported higher prevalence rates, such as Onwubere et al¹² (46.4%) and Ahaneku et al²¹ (44.5%), conducted their studies mainly among elderly and middle-aged adults, in populations of the eastern part of Nigeria. The other studies, from the rest of Nigeria, reported prevalence rates of 13.16%–26.4%; in some of these studies, the study populations included adolescents and young adults.

In addition, Asekun-Olarinmoye et al,¹⁸ Oladapo et al,¹⁴ and our study report 13.16%, 20.8%, and 26.4% prevalence, respectively, in South West Nigeria. Onwuchekwa et al¹⁹ and Andy et al²⁰ found 18.3% and 23.6% prevalence, respectively, in the South South Nigeria. Okeahialam et al¹¹ reported 20.9% prevalence in North Central Nigeria. These studies have shown a trend of increasing hypertension in Nigeria; hence, the need to increase efforts aimed at prevention and treatment of hypertension. Screening for hypertension should be intensified, since screening activities are an important component of any prevention and control program.⁴ This is because they allow for detection of previously-unaware hypertensive individuals, and providing them with early treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease.⁴ Further studies are necessary to assess the impacts of socioeconomic status and lifestyle in relation to hypertension in this region.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hypertension in the three rural communities was 26.4%, indicating a trend towards increasing prevalence of hypertension in this rural population. In addition, there were significant positive correlations between anthropometric indicators of obesity and blood pressure in adult residents of these communities.

Acknowledgments

This project was conducted with assistance from a grant provided jointly by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the International Union for Health Promotion and Education, France.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.