Hypertension: Prevalence in a Nigerian Adult Population

Background: Hypertension, one of the non communicable diseases of public interest is affecting adults globally with increasing prevalence ravaging adults in developing countries especially in Africa. Hypertension, according to reports has high prevalence, low control rate and cardiovascular complications. Prevalence of hypertension is high in Nigeria and the overall awareness of raised blood pressure among hypertension cases is low in the country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension in undiagnosed adults in Warri metropolis in a developing country of Nigeria. Methods: Total of 420 adults comprising 210 males and 210 females randomly selected across Warri metropolis aged 21-85years were recruited to participate in the study. Blood Pressure was measured using automated digital Sphygmomanometer according to standard method. The results were categorized according to World Health Organization Blood Pressure chart. Results: Total of 42.2 % of the population was observed with systolic high blood pressure while 47.1 % and 29.1 %of the male and female populations were observed with systolic high blood respectively. About 15.0 % of the total population was observed with diastolic high blood pressure. Conclusion: Need for both government and non- governmental organizations to increase public health education to increase awareness campaigns for regular community based monitoring of high blood pressure because of the associated risk factors is necessary.