Sociodemographic Factors Affecting Blood Pressure Control Among Hypertensive Patients, at Tertiary Health Centre, Northwestern Nigeria

Umar Abdullahi; Sanusi Garba; Kabiru Bello Sada; Harrison Sunday Akgwo; Kabiru Muhammad Mande; Muhammad Abdullahi; Galadima Ibrahim Bello; Mujtaba Bala

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250509051144

Abstract
Background: Hypertension remain a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with suboptimal blood pressure control rates linked to socio-demographic factors and healthcare system. Uncontrolled hypertension remains a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in low and middle income countries.
Objectives: This study assessed the association between socio-demographic factors and blood pressure (BP) control among hypertensive patients in a tertiary health center in Northwestern Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 hypertensive patients attending follow-up at the medical outpatient department of Federal Medical Centre, Gusau. Socio-demographic variables (age, sex, ethnicity, education, occupation, marital status and location) and BP control status (controlled: BP <140/90 mmHg) were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 25, with chi-square tests for association. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean age was 50.5±16.9 years, in the range of 18 to 105 years. One hundred and ninety five (63.5%) were females. Among the respondents, majority (84.4%) had controlled BP while 15.6% had uncontrolled BP. Most participant were Hausa-Fulani (82.7%), urban dwellers (70.7%) and married (71.4%). There was no statistically significant association between BP control and age, sex, marital status, residence, educational level, occupation, or ethnicity (P > 0.005).
Conclusion: There is a relatively high BP control rate which suggest effective hypertension management in tertiary setting, possibly due to structured follow-up care. No significant associations were found between socio-demographic factors and BP control which implies that systemic healthcare factors may outweigh individual characteristics in influencing BP control. Therefore, further research to explore behavioral and clinical determinants in future studies is urgently needed.

Key words: Socio-demographic factors, Hypertension, Blood Pressure control, Northwestern Nigeria.