Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the blood pressure of high altitude dwelling Andibila adults in Oju, Nigeria.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 121 Andibila adults living at a high altitude in Oju, Benue state, Nigeria. Body mass, stature, girths (waist and hip circumferences) were taken using standard procedures. Blood pressure (BP) measurement was assessed twice, and the average recorded. Participants with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥ 140 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of ≥ 90 were diagnosed as hypertensive.

RESULTS: The participants mean age was 49.9 years (SD=16.5. The prevalence rate of elevated pressure was 55.9%. Traditional alcohol use was significantly common in males (49.1%; OR=31.8; 95% CI 7.1 –143.3; p<0.0001) than females (2.9%). Increase in SBP was significantly associated with increasing age (r=0.198; p=0.0301), WC (r=0.215; p=0.018) and BMI (r=0.242; p=0.008).

CONCLUSION: There is need for health education and awareness campaign concerning the risk of elevated blood pressure of lean Andibila adults living in a geographically secluded setting.

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