title: Arterial blood pressure and hypertension in Benin in the equatorial forest zone of Nigeria.
abstract: The blood pressures of the employees of the civil services in Benin, the capital of Bendel State of Nigeria were measured. Out of a total workforce of 970 males and 360 females to whom the screening was offered, 916 males and 347 females between 15 and 60 years responded, giving a response rate of 95%. The study has confirmed that systolic and diastolic pressures of Nigerians studied rise with advancing age. It has also been found that body mass is an important factor in the levels of blood pressure attained since blood pressures were found to rise with increase in body mass. The prevelance of hypertension was found to be 14% and 10% for males and females respectively. The study population is of special interest since no previous report has emanated from the community studied. Some important differences with earlier studies in Nigeria are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria