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. 2021 Apr;23(4):773-784.
doi: 10.1111/jch.14183. Epub 2021 Jan 23.

Factors associated with hypertension among stroke-free indigenous Africans: Findings from the SIREN study

Onoja M Akpa  1   2   3 , Akinkunmi P Okekunle  1   4 , Bruce Ovbiagele  5 , Fred S Sarfo  6 , Rufus O Akinyemi  2   7   8 , Albert Akpalu  9 , Kolawole W Wahab  10 , Morenikeji Komolafe  11 , Reginald Obiako  12 , Lukman F Owolabi  13 , Godwin Ogbole  14 , Bimbo Fawale  11 , Adekunle Fakunle  8 , Christianah M Asaleye  11 , Cynthia O Akisanya  15 , Dambatta A Hamisu  13 , Luqman Ogunjimi  16 , Abiodun Adeoye  2 , Okechukwu Ogah  8 , Dan Lackland  17 , Ezinne O Uvere  8 , Moyinoluwalogo M Faniyan  8 , Osahon J Asowata  1 , Osimhiarherhuo Adeleye  7 , Mayowa Aridegbe  7 , Taiwo Olunuga  7 , Isah S Yahaya  13 , Adeniji Olaleye  7 , Benedict Calys-Tagoe  9 , Mayowa O Owolabi  2   8 ; SIREN Study as part of the H3Africa Consortium
Affiliations

Factors associated with hypertension among stroke-free indigenous Africans: Findings from the SIREN study

Onoja M Akpa et al. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 Apr.

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.

Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa; hypertension; physical inactivity; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest or disclosure(s).

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
In‐country (A) and age‐specific (B) prevalence of hypertension among stroke‐free subject in the SIREN study
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Adjusted odds and 95% CI of factors associated with hypertension in the overall population (A), Nigerian sample (B), and Ghanaian sample (C)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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