BLOOD PRESSURE PROFILE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HYPERTENSION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS ATTENDING THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF OUR LADY OF APOSTLES CATHOLIC HOSPITAL OLUYORO OKE-OFA IBADAN

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the Blood Pressure Profile among young
adult male and non-pregnant female patients ( aged18 – 50 years) attending an outpatient clinic
in Ibadan, Oyo State so as to establish whether routine blood pressure checks in this age group is
essential. It also sought to determine risk factors present in those found to be hypertensive and to
detect complications of hypertension if present.
The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, based at the Out-Patient Clinic of the
Catholic Hospital Oluyoro Oke-Ofa, Ibadan. The study population was consecutive young adult
male and non-pregnant female patients aged 18 - 50 years who attended the hospital for the first
time between January and March 2011, and met the inclusion criteria and consented to
participate in the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was administered and physical
examination was carried out. Laboratory analysis of blood and urine was done for the subjects
with confirmed hypertension.
A total of 405 adults participated in the study out of which154 were males and 251
were females. The mean age of the participants was 31.6 years. Their mean BMI was 23.7 kg/m2
and the mean BP was 129.5/85.7mmHg. One hundred and twenty-four (30.6%) were found to be
hypertensive. The male hypertensives were 51 and the females 73 giving a ratio of almost 1:1.4.
The mean BMI of these hypertensives was 24.7kg/m2while their mean BP was
154.8/101.5mmHg. Sixty-six of the hypertensives had stage 1 hypertension while 58 had stage 2
hypertension.
The study found that age, occupation, body mass index, waist circumference and hip
circumference were significantly associated with high blood pressure. Evidence of target end
organ damage seen include hypertensive heart disease in 23(18.5%) of the 124, retinopathy in
5(4.0%), congestive cardiac failure in 3(2.4%). nephropathy in 3(2.4%) and encephalopathy in
1(0.8%). There was also laboratory evidence of target end—organ damage.
Conclusion: Undetected cases of hypertension, with complications and target end-organ
damage, exist in young adults in Ibadan, Oyo state and family physicians, on the front line of
disease prevention, should pay attention to case finding for hypertension in this age group.

BLOOD PRESSURE PROFILE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HYPERTENSION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS ATTENDING THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF OUR LADY OF APOSTLES CATHOLIC HOSPITAL OLUYORO OKE-OFA IBADAN