Blood pressure control and its associated factors among hypertensive patients in federal teaching hospital, ido- ekiti, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and renal disease worldwide. Despite improvement in treatment modality and therapeutic intervention, with proven benefits in reducing the burden of uncontrolled hypertension, majority of peoples’ blood pressure still remain uncontrolled.

Aim: To assess the patterns of blood pressure control and its associated factors among hypertensive patients on follow-up.

Setting: This study was done at the general out-patient department of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido- Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria, which is a referral centre for private and government owned - health facility in the state and its environs.

Methods: Hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted from June 4 – August 31, 2019. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the 320 participants. Semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to seek information on participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle changes and level of adherence to antihypertensive medication. Blood pressure was measured and recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with poor blood pressure control.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 63.9± 11.5 years. 56.6% had their blood pressure controlled within the recommended limits. In multivariate analysis, civil servant (OR =45.160, 95% CI: 6.143 – 332.000) and adherence to medication (OR=15.35, 95% CI: 6.303 – 37.391) were the independent associated factors with good blood pressure control while old age (OR= 0.894, 95% CI: 0.837- 0.955) and diabetes (OR= 0.072, 95% CI: 0.016-.0,318) were independent associated factors with poor blood pressure control.

Conclusions: Old age and diabetes are the predictors of poorly controlled blood pressure and therefore, clinicians and other stakeholders should provide close attention and targeted blood pressure control among this set of patients.