Blood pressure Control among Outpatients in Enugu. A report of the ESUT Medical Research Group

Abstract

Hypertension is the principal driver of the cardiovascular disease epidemic in Africa and the major reason for the eventual development of complications is poor blood pressure control. In sub-Saharan Africa, poor funding, poverty and lack of awareness contribute to poor blood pressure control. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study from South East Nigeria to address blood pressure control in a hospital setting. The main objective of this study is to assess the control of hypertension in outpatients attending a tertiary hospital in Enugu South East Nigeria. This is a cross sectional study conducted in the medical out-patient clinic of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) in Enugu, Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Two hundred and ten (102 women, 108 men) consenting subjects were recruited for the study. Seventy one (37.8%) were also diabetic and 22(10.5%) had stroke.  The mean systolic blood pressure was 142.3±21.2mmHg (143.0±20.8mmHg women, 141.6±21.6mmHg men, p=0.64) and diastolic blood pressure was 84.3±13.6mmHg (83.2±13.5mmHg women, 85.5±13.3mmHg men p=0.25). Systolic blood pressure was normal (<140mmHg) in 34.5% of the subjects, (38.9% men, 29.4% women p=0.148.) Diastolic blood pressure was normal in 54.3%; (49.1% men, 59.8% in women. p=0.119.) Overall, blood pressure (SBP/DBP <140/90mmHg) was controlled in 28.1%of the subjects (women 23.5%, men 32.4%). p= 0.15.  Hypertension remains poorly controlled among patients attending a tertiary health care facility in Enugu South East Nigeria.  The growing prevalence of cardiovascular disease subsequent to poor blood pressure control calls for measures for increasing awareness and the need for complete adherence to medications.