Factors associated with hypertension among stroke‐free indigenous Africans: Findings from the SIREN study
Onoja Akpa, Akinkunmi Paul Okekunle, Bruce Ovbiagele, Fred Stephen Sarfo, Rufus Akinyemi, Albert Akpalu, Kolawole Wahab, Morenikeji Komolafe, Reginald Obiako, Lukman Owolabi, Godwin Ogbole, Bimbo Fawale, Adekunle Fakunle, Christianah Mopelola Asaleye, Cynthia Akisanya, Dambatta A. Hamisu, Luqman Ogunjimi, Abiodun M. Adeoye, Okechukwu S. Ogah, Dan Lackland, Ezinne Uvere, Moyinoluwalogo M. Faniyan, Osahon Jeffery Asowata, Osimhiarherhuo Adeleye, Mayowa Aridegbe, Taiwo Olunuga, Isah Suleiman Yahaya, Olaleye Adeniji, Benedict Calys‐Tagoe, Mayowa Owolabi
Abstract
Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for stroke and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) globally. Understanding risk factors for hypertension among individuals with matching characteristics with stroke patients may inform primordial/primary prevention of hypertension and stroke among them. This study identified the risk factors for hypertension among community-dwelling stroke-free population in Ghana and Nigeria. Data for 4267 community-dwelling stroke-free controls subjects in the Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network (SIREN) study in Nigeria and Ghana were used. Participants were comprehensively assessed for sociodemographic, lifestyle and metabolic factors using standard methods. Hypertension was defined as a previous diagnosis by a health professional or use of an anti-hypertensive drug or mean systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of hypertension and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) at p < .05. Overall, 56.7% of the participants were hypertensive with a higher proportion among respondents aged ≥60 years (53.0%). Factors including physical inactivity (aOR: 9.09; 95% CI: 4.03 to 20.53, p < .0001), diabetes (aOR: 2.70; CI: 1.91 to 3.82, p < .0001), being ≥60 years (aOR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.78 to 2.77, p < .0001), and family history of CVD (aOR 2.02; CI: 1.59 to 2.56, p < .0001) were associated with increased aOR of hypertension. Lifestyle factors were associated with hypertension in the current population of community-dwelling stroke-free controls in west Africa. Community-oriented interventions to address sedentary lifestyles may benefit this population and reduce/prevent hypertension and stroke among them.