Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the knowledge, prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among poor urban community dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that explored non-communicable diseases using the modified World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance. Data was collected from 500 eligible participants aged 18-65 years from two urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Knowledge was scored on 28-point score with ≤9 classified as poor, 10-19 as fair, and 20-28 as good. Data were analysed using Chi-square statistics and binary logistics regression at p < 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Mean age of the respondents was 35.3 ± 12.2 years, most, (67.9%) of the male respondents were currently married, while most female were self-employed (72.8%) with secondary education (53.1%). Almost two-fifth, (16.2%) had good knowledge of hypertension which was associated with Christianity religion, earning more than #20,000 ($49) monthly and a history of obesity (p = 0.001). Hypertension prevalence was 18.6%, and only 8.4% were aware of their hypertensive status before the survey. Obesity was 14.6% among females and 3.0% among males. The majority of the females (87.0%) and 55.8% of males were physically inactive. More males (64.9%) than females (42.3%) consume alcohol. The logistic regression shows no significant association with the covariates. CONCLUSION: The study population has a low level of knowledge, high risky practices and a high prevalence of hypertension. There is a need for concerted health promotion interventions geared towards improving the knowledge and changing the behavioural practices of poor urban community members in southwestern Nigeria.