AWARENESS AND PREVALENCE OF ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG  YOUNG ADULTS 20-50 YEARS IN IHUMUDUMU COMMUNITY

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:

1. Public Health

2. Nursing Science

3. Medical Laboratory Science

4. Community Health

TOPIC: AWARENESS AND PREVALENCE OF ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS 20-50 YEARS IN IHUMUDUMU COMMUNITY

TABLE OF CONTENT

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study.

1.2 Statement of the Problem.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

1.4 Research Questions.

1.5 Research Hypothesis.

1.6 Significance of Study.

1.7 Scope of the Study.

1.8 Definition of Terms.

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Conceptual Review

2.3 Theoretical Review

2.4 Empirical Studies

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design.

3.2 Research Settings

3.3 Population of the Study

3.4 Sample Size

3.5 Sampling Techniques

3.6 Instrument for Data Collection

3.7 Validity of the Instrument

3.8 Reliability of the Instrument

3.9 Procedure for Data Collection

3.10 Methods of Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Data Presentation.

4.2 Analysis of Data.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Discussion of Findings

5.2 Implications of findings to nursing    

5.3 Limitation of the Study

5.3 Summary of the study

5.4 Conclusion    

5.5 Recommendation  

5.6 Suggestion for Further Findings

Reference

Appendices

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the awareness and prevalence of elevated blood pressure among young adults (20–50 years) in Ihumudumu Community. The specific objectives were to determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, identify major risk factors, examine the health effects experienced by affected individuals, and assess the level of knowledge regarding its management and prevention. A survey research design was employed, targeting a population of 200,000 young adults in Ihumudumu community, from which a sample size of 399 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula and selected through a stratified random sampling technique to ensure fair representation across demographics. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed on a 5-point Likert Scale, which was validated by experts and confirmed reliable through a pilot test with a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.85. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations) and processed with SPSS. Results showed that 140 respondents strongly agreed that high salt intake is a major risk factor, while 160 strongly agreed that untreated elevated blood pressure can lead to severe complications. Based on the findings, it is recommended that community health nurses should lead regular outreach screenings, government agencies should enforce salt reduction policies, nursing educators and NGOs should deliver continuous community health education, and local health facilities should establish affordable medication adherence support systems to reduce the growing burden of elevated blood pressure among young adults in Ihumudumu community.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION (Preview)

1.1 Background of the Study

Hypertension, otherwise commonly referred to clinically as high blood pressure, is one of the most notable non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that has continued to affect populations globally. The disease is one of the major contributors to premature mortality as well as disability among adults globally. According to Odili et al. (2023), going by studies conducted to determine the prevalence of hypertension among adults globally, the world has been witnessing a rising and worrying trend of hypertension prevalence among adults over the years despite the increased awareness campaigns and interventions implemented to combat this significant health issue. This increase is specially worrisome and alarming, considering high blood pressure is a strong modifiable risk factor for many severe health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and stroke, according to Arije et al. (2021). In support of this worrying trend, Banigbe et al. (2023) argue that despite the heightened exposure to health information and education in most places, the burden of hypertension still exists and remains a major challenge due to lifestyle changes and continued urbanization patterns, particularly in developing nations where these attributes are especially manifested. Therefore, the long-standing issue of managing and controlling high blood pressure necessitates ongoing and extensive research on its prevalence in addition to the various etiologies underlying it among varying populations across the globe.

Adding to this global conversation that has been ongoing, researchers and academic scholars alike have been pointing out and emphasizing increasingly the concerning and alarming rates of hypertension being observed in young adults, a demographic that has been under the long-standing impression of being lower risk for developing such long-term health issues. Uwah et al. (2021) confidently put forward that lifestyle variables of sedentarism, poor eating habits, and increased levels of stress among young people are the considerable and noteworthy drivers behind the high rate of hypertension being observed in this specific age group. In support of this vital fact, Nwoke et al. (2024) point out that a large number of young adults are completely ignorant of their hypertensive condition, which sadly adds to the many complications arising from late diagnosis and poor health-seeking habits. Furthermore, Musa and Danlami (2022) present a compelling argument that lifestyle changes experienced by young adults, including an increase in the intake of processed food and alcohol, remain central to our understanding of the rising epidemiology of elevated blood pressure levels. These thoughtful comments amply demonstrate a profound shift in the research and academic interest from the once-dominating focus on elderly individuals toward emphasizing instead the new and alarming threat of hypertension among the young.

Thus, the investigation of the various risk factors that are linked to the onset of high blood pressure has been a prominent and dominating topic in the field of public health research today. Numerous studies, including those by renowned researchers Umuerri and Aiwuyo (2023), have revealed compelling evidence that genetic predisposition, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive intake of salt are some of the predominant reasons that lead to hypertension, particularly in the young adult segment. To support this position, Musango and Olufue (2024) argue that several socio-economic conditions, including such problems as poor access to nutritious food sources and a lack of proper recreational facilities, do much to exacerbate the associated risks. Further, Arije et al. (2021) argue that although medical treatment is necessary and assumes a fundamental role, it is also crucial to intervene in socio-behavioral risk factors so that proper prevention strategies can be established. The intersection of these crucial observations leads to an emphasis on the placement of risk factors within particular communities as a prerequisite step towards developing and implementing such differential interventions as will meet the particular needs of those populations.

Aside from the essential role of identifying all types of risk factors associated with health, it is important that one understands the health consequences that are brought about by high blood pressure, particularly if the condition goes undiagnosed. Odili et al. (2023) argue that unless treated for a sufficiently long period of time, specifically in young adults, hypertension is likely to significantly heighten the risk of developing severe cardiovascular complications at much earlier ages than one might normally anticipate. Supporting this assertion, it is notable that Musa and Danlami (2022) categorically assert that early-onset hypertension strongly predisposes a person to a variety of serious health issues, including stroke, kidney ailments, and other fatal disorders. These disorders have the tendency of leading to low levels of productivity among the victims and have the tendency of inducing high costs of healthcare for the families as well as the healthcare systems. As indicated by Uwah et al. (2021), it is important to appreciate that the burden imposed by these adverse health effects is extremely high among populations living with significant limitations due to lack of or low accessibility to quality healthcare services, which has the tendency of further exacerbating the issue. These scholarly views accentuate and underscore the long-term and cascading effects that high blood pressure can cause to one's health, and the healthcare system in general.

Grounding this discourse firmly in the imperative value of knowledge and awareness in the field of public health, recent studies have underscored that health literacy is quite fundamental in both the prevention and management of high blood pressure-related conditions. Drawing from their research, Banigbe et al. (2023) make a strong argument that possession of sufficient knowledge about health conditions empowers individuals to adopt viable preventive strategies and motivates them to adhere to treatment protocols at all times. Consistent with this argument, Nwoke et al. (2024) argue that populations that have heightened levels of awareness are expected to report considerably better health outcomes, and this can be attributed as the explanation for their ability to notice health complications early and institute corresponding lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, Musango and Olufue (2024) highlight the necessity of having culturally tailored health education interventions by maintaining that these are critical in the facilitation and fostering of positive attitudes toward optimal hypertension management. Collectively, these findings jointly confirm and establish that raising awareness is a fundamental and successful strategy in confronting and addressing the continued burden of hypertension.

Situated against this broad backdrop, the Ihumudumu community emerges as a very interesting and enlightening case study for the examination and exploration of the intricate dynamics underlying elevated blood pressure in young adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years. According to Umuerri and Aiwuyo (2023), semi-urban communities such as Ihumudumu experience certain peculiar and unique health challenges that are in large measure attributable to the transitory life styles adopted by residents of such areas and the inadequate health infrastructure that is prevalent in such areas. To back this assertion, Arije et al. (2021) posit that young adults who are situated in such specific environments tend to have limited information concerning both the risk factors of hypertension and also the proper management strategies that are applicable in controlling this disease. This lack of knowledge therefore exposes them to the disease. It is thus both pertinent and of very high importance to therefore conduct a thorough investigation into the prevalence of hypertension, the various risk factors that are linked to it, the health consequences it has, and the levels of awareness that prevail among young adults in the Ihumudumu community. Such an investigation will provide crucial information for the development of targeted interventions that will effectively combat the silent epidemic of high blood pressure.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Hypertension or high blood pressure has emerged as an increasingly prevalent health problem among young adults in most Nigerian societies. The same applies to this society of Ihumudumu. In a majority of instances, the condition arises insidiously and is asymptomatic, such that few will show easily recognizable signs. As such, this lack of overt signs often results in delayed diagnosis, which will eventually result in grave and more serious health complications in those infected by this serious condition (Uwah et al., 2021; Nwoke et al., 2024). At best, young adults within the productive age bracket of 20–50 years should have ideal blood pressure levels by virtue of ideal lifestyle behaviors, constant follow-ups, and adequate knowledge regarding prevention and control strategies (Umuerri & Aiwuyo, 2023). However, the truth about Ihumudumu offers an unsettling imbalance at play that cannot be overlooked: a significant percentage of this population has no idea of their hypertensive state, still continues to indulge in risk behaviors such as high salt consumption and a physically inactive life, and, worse, is still beyond the reach of constant and routine screening exercises that can identify these conditions (Banigbe et al., 2023). This gap between the ideal standard of awareness and reality leaves the community vulnerable to avoidable health threats that could otherwise be averted by early diagnosis and aware self-care.

Current literature has accentuated an array of risk factors and outcomes of hypertension on a general scale, presenting a picture of the problem. Nonetheless, there is a significant absence of localized evidence that particularly deals with the prevalence of hypertension, the knowledge levels about this condition, and the specific socio-cultural patterns that shape high blood pressure among young adults residing in semi-urban areas like Ihumudumu, according to research works carried out by Odili et al. in 2023 and Musa & Danlami in 2022. This critical knowledge gap makes it difficult to formulate context-based interventions specific to the needs of these populations. Such interventions could ultimately empower young adults by arming them with practical information and skills required for the effective prevention and control of hypertension. Therefore, the current study will also attempt to fill and address this very gap in the existing literature by providing complete empirical evidence that will specifically aim at the actual prevalence of high blood pressure in young adults residing in Ihumudumu. Furthermore, it will also attempt to identify the common prevailing dominant risk factors in this very population group. Moreover, the study will also look in-depth at the various health consequences that are already being endured by these individuals due to high blood pressure. Lastly, it will also analyze the level of knowledge that this population possesses regarding the management and prevention of high blood pressure issues. From this approach, the research will come up with valuable results that can be used to shape and inform public health policy and programming. The results can also be utilized to develop awareness programs that are community-centered and particularly tailored to respond to the particular realities and needs of the youth in Ihumudumu.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness and the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among young adults aged 20-50 years in the Ihumudumu community. The specific objectives are outlined below;

i.To determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among young adults in Ihumudumu community.

ii.To identify the major risk factors associated with elevated blood pressure among young adults in the Ihumudumu community.

iii.To examine the health effects of elevated blood pressure among affected young adults in Ihumudumu community.

iv.To assess the level of knowledge regarding the management and prevention of elevated blood pressure among young adults in Ihumudumu community.

OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:

1.4 Research Question

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW(Preview)

This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the contributions of scholars who had previously conducted studies on similar research topics. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and address the perceived gaps in existing literature. This chapter, therefore discusses on the concept of elevated blood pressure, global prevalence of elevated blood pressure, prevalence of elevated blood pressure in Nigeria etc. The chapter covers the following subheadings:

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Conceptual Review

2.3 Theoretical Review

2.4 Empirical Studies

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  (Preview)

Research Design: The study adopted a survey research design.

Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises young adults aged 20–50 years residing in Ihumudumu Community.

Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 399 participants.

Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified sampling, simple random sampling, and systematic random sampling to select the individual respondents.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a self-developed structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.

Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses. Inferential statistics were used to test the hypotheses, and all analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)

The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made:

i. The study found that elevated blood pressure is a notable health concern among young adults aged 20–50 years in Ihumudumu community, as evidenced by high combined agreement responses for diagnosed cases (220), growing health concerns (250), and considerable risk of developing high blood pressure (250). However, responses regarding routine blood pressure checks were mixed, with only 180 respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing, indicating possible gaps in regular screening practices.

ii. The study found that high salt intake, lack of regular physical exercise, and persistent stress and anxiety are the major perceived risk factors contributing to elevated blood pressure among young adults in Ihumudumu community, as evidenced by combined agreement responses of 290, 270, and 270, respectively. Smoking and tobacco exposure received 220 combined agreement responses, while frequent alcohol consumption received 200, indicating comparatively lower recognition of these behavioral risk factors.

iii. The study found that elevated blood pressure has physical, economic, and psychological effects on young adults in Ihumudumu community, as evidenced by 290 respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that it limits daily activities, 270 identifying increased absence from work or school, 290 recognizing significant medical expenses, and 270 acknowledging negative effects on mental health and emotional well-being. The highest combined agreement response was 300 for the risk of severe complications, such as stroke or kidney failure, if elevated blood pressure remains untreated.

iv. The study found that young adults in Ihumudumu community demonstrate a generally high level of knowledge regarding the management and prevention of elevated blood pressure, as evidenced by combined agreement responses ranging from 270 to 300 across all five statements. Routine medical check-ups for early detection received the highest agreement of 300 respondents, while regular physical activity, reduced salt intake, and proper use of prescribed medication each received 290 combined agreement responses.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter covers the following outline:

5.1 Discussion of Findings

5.2 Limitations of the Study

5.3 Summary

5.4 Conclusion

5.5 Implications of Findings to Nursing

5.6 Recommendations

5.7 Suggestions for Further Studies

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