E ISSN: 2583-049X
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International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies

Volume 3, Issue 2, 2023

The Influence of Regular Exercise on Hypertension among Older Adults in Owerri North LGA Imo State



Author(s): Onyewuchi Chioma Cornelia, Ugonma Winnie Dozie, Chinasa Orie Agwu Amadi

Abstract:

Hypertension is a major public health challenge worldwide. It is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the influence of regular exercise on hypertension morbidity among older adults in Owerri North LGA Imo State, Nigeria. The study was a community based interventional study with quasi experimental design. The study population comprised of older adults residing in Owerri North LGA who were 65 years of age and above and the 50 years and above adults with chronic diseases. There were a total of 396 subjects that were randomly sampled and included in the study Questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and lifestyle information. Hypertension was defined as Systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 and/or Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90mm Hg or currently on anti-hypertensive medication. Exercise session was assigned to the participants after initial health measures. Data were analyzed in SPSS Version 25 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test was performed at 5% significant level to test for the associating factors. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 35.9%. Hypertension was found to be associated with some factors of socio-demographics such as age (p< 0.0001, χ2=97.21), sex (p = 0.014, χ2 =6.10), marital status (p<0.0001, χ2 =35.996) and education level (p<0.0001, χ2 =37.178). An increasing trend was found in age from 6.5% for the under 30 to 57.3% for the over 60 subjects. Hypertension was lower (27.1%) in males than in females (38.6%) in the area, while it was quite very high among the separated and widowed at 60% each. Subjects with low level of education recorded higher rate of hypertension among them (non-formal =61.5%, primary education level =46.2%). Significant associations were found between hypertension and lifestyle factors on alcohol intake (p= 0.019, χ2 =9.940) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (p < 0.0001, χ2 =24.104). Those who consume alcohol everyday recorded a high hypertension prevalent of 41.1%. The prevalence of hypertension was apparently lower for the underweight (28.6%) and the normal weight subjects (25.4%) but higher for the overweight (42.4%), obese (49.1%) and the severely obese (42.1%). For work related factors, employment duration was found to be a significant factor of hypertension (p < 0.001, χ2 =13.572) as well as Job satisfaction (p < 0.001, χ2 = 26.93) in this study. In conclusion, this study revealed a high prevalence of hypertension among adults in study area which underscores the need for urgent interventions for prevention and early detection of hypertension, especially among those aged ≥30 years and the overweight or obese.


Keywords: Older Adults, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Systolic Blood Pressure, Hypertension, Body Mass Index (BMI)

Pages: 1167-1173

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