title: Prevalence of hypertension in three rural communities of Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, South West Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of hypertension is increasing rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa, but data are limited on hypertension prevalence. In addition, few population-based studies have been conducted recently in Nigeria on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension in both urban and rural communities. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of hypertension in adults in the three rural communities of Ipetumodu, Edunabon, and Moro, in South West Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand adults between 15 and 90 years of age were recruited into this cross-sectional study, over a 6-month period, using a multistage proportional stratified random sampling technique. Sociodemographic data and anthropometric variables were obtained, and resting blood pressure (BP) was measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer. Diagnosis of hypertension was based on the JNC VII guidelines, the WHO/ISH 1999 guidelines, and the BP threshold of 160/95 mmHg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and eighty-six men (48.6%) men and 514 women (51.4%) participated in the study. Their mean age, weight, height, and body mass index were 32.3±14.7 years, 62±13 kg, 1.5±0.1 m, and 23.02 kg/m(2), respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, based on the 140/90 mmHg definition, was 26.4% (Male: 27.3%; Female: 25.4%). The prevalence of hypertension, based on the 160/95 mmHg definition, was 11.8% (Male: 13.5%; Female: 10.1%). There were significant positive correlations between BP and some anthropometric indicators of obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of hypertension in the three rural communities was 26.4%, indicating a trend towards increasing prevalence of hypertension. There was also a significant positive correlation between anthropometric indicators of obesity and BP in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rasaaq A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adebayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Michael O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Balogun
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rufus A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adedoyin
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Education, University of Lagos, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwayemisi A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Obashoro-John
authors.affiliation: Department of Demography and Social Statistics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Luqman A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bisiriyu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olugbenga O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Abiodun
keywords: Nigeria; hypertension; prevalence; rural communities