HYPERTENSION IN NIGERIA

HYPERTENSION IN NIGERIA

 It has become a major health problem. Time to increase awareness campaigns of the quiet killer
A recent report based on a study by a group of researchers from Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom indicates that high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is much more prevalent in Nigeria than in other African countries. The research further reveals that less than 20 per cent of Nigerians are aware that they have the condition which put people at risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.

According to the report, more than 20 million cases of hypertension were estimated in 2010, affecting one in three men and one in four women and the figure is expected to rise to 39 million cases by 2030. Whereas data from South Africa suggests that high blood pressure is treated effectively in less than 10 per cent of cases, the scientists at the University of Edinburgh, who carried out the study, said understanding hypertension in Nigeria and other African countries has been affected by lack of patient data. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Hypertension.

Dr. Davies Adeloye of the university’s Centre for Population Health Sciences, said: “We have conducted a systematic search of high quality studies on hypertension across Nigeria and provided estimates of the prevalence and number of cases of hypertension in the country. We hope this will prompt appropriate policy response in the health sector.” The scientists therefore stated that increased public awareness, lifestyle changes, screening and early detection are vital to tackling the increasing threat of the disease.

The symptoms of high blood pressure are not always obvious, which makes regular check-up essential. Yet, according to a recent bulletin of the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Nigeria is one of many developing countries where the health services have focused on treating infectious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, but in recent years, non-communicable conditions have become an increasing problem. One of the most prevalent non-communicable conditions worldwide, hypertension is responsible for an estimated 45% of deaths due to heart disease and 51% of deaths due to stroke globally.”

The problems caused by hypertension are made worse, according to WHO, when people are not aware of the necessity for – or unable to afford – regular blood pressure checks. “We hope this campaign will encourage more adults to check their blood pressure but also that health authorities will make blood pressure measurement affordable for everyone,” said Dr Shanthi Mendis, a medical officer at WHO.
The question to be asked by those managing our health institutions is: why is hypertension prevalent in Nigeria? The essence of such medical inquiry is to device ways of tackling the menace, especially since it is an ailment that can be easily managed. Doctors also usually recommend that those prone to the disease should eat healthy diets with less salt, exercise regularly, quit smoking (if they do) and maintain a healthy weight.

Increased awareness campaigns, improvement in public health and increased funding for health care initiatives - by government, donor agencies, and development partners – will also help. Nigerians themselves must also begin to imbibe the culture of regular medical check-up which would help those diagnosed of hypertension to begin to manage the ailment. Advocacy on regular routine check of blood pressure must be carried out in a systematic and targeted manner.

However, to the extent that lifestyle changes are not enough, health experts all over the world continue to strategise and formulate rigorous and effective policies, alerting citizens of the health dangers and putting in place mechanisms for dealing with such challenge. Now that we know that high blood pressure is a major health problem in our country, effective schemes can be formulated and interventions applied before Nigeria’s future prospects are consumed by ill health, inefficiency and lack of productivity.