This cross-sectional study was carried out in Udo, a rural community in Ovia South-west LGA of Edo
state to screen for hypertension and determine blood pressure pattern. Cluster sampling method was
used in selecting participants. Data collection was by researcher-administered questionnaire. Blood pressure
and anthropometric measurements were determined.
A total of 590 respondents with mean age 30.7 ± 14.6 years participated in the study. Mean systolic
and diastolic blood pressures were 122.08 ± 15.42 mmHg and 79.54 ± 11.55 mmHg, respectively and
increased with age. Males had significantly higher mean SBP and DBP than the females (p < 0.001).
Prevalence of hypertension was 20.2%, increased significantly with age and was higher in males than in
females (p < 0.001).
This study revealed that hypertension is a problem even in the rural areas. Therefore need for
intervention programmes targeted at non-communicable diseases like hypertension which is usually
symptomless.