Prevalence of hypertension among fulani herdsmen in rural community of Nigeria
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Date
2016
Authors
Bello, Shakirat Iyabo
Ojieabu, Winifred Aitalagbe
Bello, Ibrahim Kolawole
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bangladesh Journal of Medicine
Abstract
Introduction:Hypertension is progressively becoming more prevalent in Nigeria. The purpose of
the study was to assess the risk factors and occurrence of hypertension among Fulani herdsmen in
Nigeria.
Methodology:A descriptive longitudinal study on hypertension was conducted among Fulani
herdsmen residing in rural communities of Ilorin East and Moro Local Government Areas (LGAs) of
Nigeria, from the age of 18 years and above. Eight hundred and seventy–two (872) consenting
subjects completed a standardized questionnaire. Blood pressure, weight and height were measured
and recorded using standard calibrated equipment.
Results:Of the 872 herdsmen, 351 (40.3%) were aged 18–30 years and 632 (72.5%) migrated from
the North–West zone of Nigeria. Almost all (n=858, 98.4%) of the subjects were ignorant of
hypertension. Overweight and obesity were uncommon among the subjects. The occurrence of
hypertension was 17.3% with overall average systolic blood pressure (BP) of 128.8±12.3 mmHg
and diastolic BP of 84.0±8.0 mmHg. Risk factors of hypertension were types of diet [OR 0.578; 95%
confidence interval (CI) 0.113–11.418, p< 0.028], smoking habit [OR 5.147; CI: 1.023–25.884, p <
0.017] and age [OR 2.656; CI: 0.682–8.556, p < 0.031].
Conclusion: Majority of hypertensive herdsmen were not aware of their status, signifying a high
incidence of undiagnosed and un-controlled BP among these subjects. Public health awareness on
the risk factors of hypertension is essential to reduce the burden among this population. Further
research is also necessary to measure the trends of hypertension among this population
Description
None.
Keywords
Hypertension, Fulani herdsmen, Health awareness, Body Mass Index
Citation
S. I. Bello, W. A. Ojieabu and I. K. Bello : Prevalence of hypertension among fulani herdsmen in rural community of Nigeria