KNOWLEDGE OF RISK FACTORS AND PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN BENIN CITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Abstract
Hypertension is an increasingly important public health problem among young adults, yet many university students underestimate their susceptibility despite exposure to lifestyle-related cardiovascular risks. This study assessed knowledge of hypertension risk factors and determined the prevalence of hypertension among university students in Benin City, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 560 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with an adapted structured self administered questionnaire, while blood pressure, weight, and height were measured using standard procedures. Knowledge of hypertension risk factors was scored over eight items; scores of 4 and above were classified as good knowledge. Blood pressure was classified using the Joint National Committee criteria.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.3 ± 2.6 years, and 64.8% were females. All respondents had heard of hypertension, with school being the commonest source of information (62.3%). Overall, 73.8% had good knowledge of hypertension risk factors, and 80.7% had good general knowledge of hypertension. Stress (88.8%), obesity (79.8%), excessive alcohol
consumption (74.8%), family history (70.5%), smoking (70.0%), and high salt intake (69.5%) were the most commonly identified risk factors, while fewer respondents recognised processed foods (57.0%) and physical inactivity (55.2%). Measured blood pressure showed that 48.3% were normotensive, 43.8% were prehypertensive, 6.8% had stage 1 hypertension, and 1.1% had stage 2 hypertension, giving an overall hypertension prevalence of 7.9%. Hypertension was significantly more common among males than females (13.2% vs 5.0%, p < 0.001) and increased across BMI categories from underweight to obesity (p < 0.05).
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 560 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with an adapted structured self administered questionnaire, while blood pressure, weight, and height were measured using standard procedures. Knowledge of hypertension risk factors was scored over eight items; scores of 4 and above were classified as good knowledge. Blood pressure was classified using the Joint National Committee criteria.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.3 ± 2.6 years, and 64.8% were females. All respondents had heard of hypertension, with school being the commonest source of information (62.3%). Overall, 73.8% had good knowledge of hypertension risk factors, and 80.7% had good general knowledge of hypertension. Stress (88.8%), obesity (79.8%), excessive alcohol
consumption (74.8%), family history (70.5%), smoking (70.0%), and high salt intake (69.5%) were the most commonly identified risk factors, while fewer respondents recognised processed foods (57.0%) and physical inactivity (55.2%). Measured blood pressure showed that 48.3% were normotensive, 43.8% were prehypertensive, 6.8% had stage 1 hypertension, and 1.1% had stage 2 hypertension, giving an overall hypertension prevalence of 7.9%. Hypertension was significantly more common among males than females (13.2% vs 5.0%, p < 0.001) and increased across BMI categories from underweight to obesity (p < 0.05).
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