Educational Intervention As A Strategy For Improving Blood Pressure Status Of Market Women In Lagos, Nigeria.

摘要

Sustained high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in our society. The usefulness of educational intervention for improving the blood pressure status of market women was assessed in this interventional community based study. The socio-demographic data, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and awareness of the blood pressure status of the subjects were documented. Counseling of the respondents on hypertension, risk factors, drug compliance and life style modification took place within 3 months. The results showed that 59% of the respondents were unaware of their BP status, 21.5% were discovered to have elevated blood pressure. Among those found to be hypertensive only 30.2% were on medication and none of them had effective BP control. At post intervention, all (100%) of the subjects now had good knowledge of their BP status and 86.05% had effective control of their B.P. Lifestyle modification of respondents including their body mass index also slightly improved post intervention. This study establishes that blood pressure status of individuals in the community could be enhanced by an educational intervention strategy. Introduction Hypertension is the third killer disease worldwide, accounting for one in every eight deaths1,2. In Nigeria, the age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension according to International Collaborative Study of Hypertensive In Blacks (ICSHIB) was recorded to be 14.5% 3. Although, with the current definition of hypertension based on JNC VII guidelines, many more Nigerians (20-25%) can be said to be hypertensive3,4. Hypertension increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, peripheral vascular disease and renal insufficiency1,2,. Premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases could be prevented by early detection and effective control of hypertension1,2,4. The growing scourge of heart diseases in developing countries will not be blunted or reversed by the medical profession alone; it requires public understanding of the health issues and to create a situation for support of policies of primary prevention. Based on prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria, only 1/3 of Nigerians are aware that they are hypertensive and of this only 2/3 are on treatment for the hypertension5. Most Nigerians do not see reasons for regular monitoring of their blood pressure and this may be because of inadequate provision of proper education and counseling by health care provider on the risks associated with high blood pressure.6,7 Lack of interest or busy schedule on the part of individuals has also been identified.6,7 Until recently women’s health concentrated on women as mothers i.e. reproductive health, stressing the importance of womb and breast health.8 However, cardiovascular diseases remain major killer of women.8,10,11 Worldwide, over eight million women die each year from heart disease or stroke, almost eighteen times the number who die of breast cancer and six times more than the number who die of HIV/AIDS8,10,12. Unfortunately, women’s are still considered vulnerable individuals in our society, especially suffering from educational discrimination. That is why United Nation Millennium development goal focuses on eradication of gender inequality, women empowerment and improvement of maternal health care. Therefore, in order to achieve the above goal, education of women about risks of hypertension and the need to be aware of their B.P status can not be over emphasized.9,10,12 In this paper, we report the importance of educational intervention for improving the blood pressure status of market women in Lagos, Nigeria. Method and Materials Study Conduct & DesignThis study was designed as an interventional; community based cross sectional survey conducted according to the Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice at Ereko Market of Lagos Island Local Government, Lagos state, Nigeria, between Nov 2008 and February 2009.Study PopulationThis consi