Predictors of Blood Pressure Control at a General Out-Patient Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital, in North Central of Nigeria

Abstract

Though antihypertensives lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular complications, blood pressure control is still a challenge globally. This implies that there are multiple factors, apart from medications, that can predict blood pressure control. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of blood pressure control in order to improve on the management of hypertension in healthcare settings. The study was a cross-sectional study of adult hypertensive patients attending the General Out-patient Clinic (GOPC) of Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. Using a systematic sampling technique, 304 patients were recruited for the study. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, perceived family support, medication adherence, anthropometric and blood pressure measurement. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi square test was used to determine the relationship between categorical variables; multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of blood pressure control. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. One hundred and fifty (49.3%) participants had controlled blood pressure. The independent predictors of controlled blood pressure were age ≥50 years, tertiary level of education, high monthly income, hypertension with absence of co-morbidity, perceived family support, adherence to medication, normal Body Mass Index (BMI) and normal Waist-Hip-Ratio (WHR). Respondents within the age group 50 years and above, with tertiary level of education, earning higher monthly income with absence of co-morbidity are more likely to achieve blood pressure control. Those with strong family support that encourages adherence to antihypertensive medications and have normal BMI and WHR are also more likely to achieve blood pressure control.