Document Detail


The prevalence and correlates of hypertension in a Theological College in Africa.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18390142     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The Theological College is a peculiar setting. This is due to the nature of the job, studies, attitudinal leaning (faith) and influence. There has been no known work to date done on the cardiovascular status in institutions of this nature-both in the country and in the continent of Africa. This formed the basis for evaluating the prevalence of hypertension and its correlates in one of the foremost theological colleges in Africa, the Trinity Theological College, Umuahia. METHOD: The entire constituent working-student population in the sandwich program of August 2004 at the Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, were recruited in the study. Their biodata, demographic distribution, anthropometry, pulse rate and blood pressure measurements were recorded under standard conditions. Their lifestyle habits were evaluated. Structured questionnaires were used with self administered screening done by medical doctors. RESULTS: Eighty five subjects, with mean age 43.7 (+/- 9.9) years, were screened. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 28.3%. Only 8 subjects admitted being known hypertensives, out of whom 6 were on treatment. Fifty three percent (45) of them checked their blood pressure irregularly, while 28 (33%) never did. Twenty six respondents (31%) admitted taking extra table salt, while 39 (46%) never engaged in any form of exercise. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension in this community is higher than that of the general Nigerian population. There is a great need for adequate health education especially with regard to regularity of blood pressure check and lifestyle modification, in the Theological Colleges, given the influence they wield in the larger society.
Authors:
S O Ike
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Nigerian journal of medicine : journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria     Volume:  17     ISSN:  1115-2613     ISO Abbreviation:  Niger J Med     Publication Date:    2008 Jan-Mar
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-04-08     Completed Date:  2008-04-30     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100888321     Medline TA:  Niger J Med     Country:  Nigeria    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  88-94     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. sobiajuluike@yahoo.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Africa / epidemiology
Anthropometry
Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Surveys
Heart Rate
Humans
Hypertension / diagnosis,  drug therapy,  epidemiology*
Life Style
Male
Middle Aged
Nigeria / epidemiology
Prevalence
Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Universities
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antihypertensive Agents

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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