Knowledge and awareness of high blood pressure in Ward F, Ifako-Ijaiye local government area, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: In Nigeria, most people living with an elevated blood pressure are unaware of it until they suffer complications. The aim of this study was to determine levels of awareness of high blood pressure in Ward F, Ifako-Ijaiye local government area, Lagos, Nigeria. Design: A multistage sampling technique was used to select 250 participants as the study population. Setting and subjects: Trained interviewers administered questionnaires to collect information from the participants and measured their blood pressure to determine whether or not they had the correct information on their blood pressure readings. Outcome measures: The questionnaire included questions on respondents’ knowledge of high blood pressure, sources of information or knowledge, awareness of blood pressure status and blood pressure measurement. Results: Radio was found to be the most utilised source of information on high blood pressure. The level of awareness of high blood pressure was 79.2%, while 21.6% of participants were aware of having high blood pressure. However, 37.2% had high blood pressure readings. Conclusion: Even though the level of awareness among participants was relatively high (79.2%), the study showed that many people who had high blood pressure readings were unaware of having high blood pressure. The knowledge of high blood pressure among these participants was insufficient, especially in grassroots communities. There is an urgent need for community-based high blood pressure awareness programmes.