Preventive Health-Seeking Behaviour relating to Hypertension among Non-Teaching Staff of College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

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DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.05.04.Art030

Authors : Mercy Uchechi Ikechukwu Orji

Abstract:

Hypertension contributes largely to morbidity and mortality experienced from cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Studies have been conducted on hypertension among various populations in Nigeria, but only a few have provided data on hypertension-related preventive Health-Seeking Behaviour (HSB) among workers in the hospital environment. This study was conducted to determine the preventive HSB relating to hypertension among non-teaching staff of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI).

A total of 315 non-teaching staff University College Hospital was involved in the study. Data were collected using a pre-tested a semi-structured questionnaire. Respondents’ preventive HSB were assessed through preventive practices. Respondents’ attitudes towards preventive behaviour were measured on 20-point scale. Using SPSS, Data were analysed via descriptive statistics, Chi-square and logistic regression.

Preventive behaviour by respondents included non-consumption of alcohol (65.1%), regular BP check-up (46.3%), regular exercise (41.9%) and low salt intake 47.3%. Few respondents (39.3%) had positive attitude towards preventive HSB. Non-alcohol consumption was 4 times more likely to be observed (OR: 4.2; 95% CI 2.6-6.9) while exercise was twice less likely (OR: 2.1; 95% CI 0.3-0.7) by the respondents. Respondents’ educational qualifications and administrative rank were significantly associated with preventive HSB (p<0.05). Less than half (43.8%) of the respondents had low knowledge of hypertension prevention (screening/early detection; 14.9%).

Although more than half of the respondents do not consume alcohol, other aspects of preventive behaviours practices were relatively low which therefore calls for effective work-place health promotion and education programme for behavioural change towards prevention of hypertension.

Keywords: Hypertension, Hypertension prevention, Hypertension risk factors, Preventive Health- seeking behaviour, University Non-teaching staff, Hospital environment.

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