Relationship between parental socio-economic status and casual blood pressure in coastal nigerian adolescents

BACKGROUND: Emerging data suggest that essential or primary hypertension occurs in the young. Parental socioeconomic status may play a role but the exact mechanisms still remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the relationship between parental socioeconomic status and casual blood pressure in adolescents. METHODS: One thousand and eight adolescents attending two secondary schools in Calabar; Nigeria were selected by stratified random sampling. Their blood pressure; weights and heights were taken using standard methods and sociodemographic data were obtained using a pretested semistructured questionnaire. RESULTS: Blood pressure was increased with age with males having higher values. The other major determinants of blood pressure were weight; height; body mass index; level of physical activity and parental socioeconomic status (p 0.05). Female adolescents with parents in the lower socioeconomic classes had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p 0.05). In contrast; parental socioeconomic status showed no significant relationship with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in males (p 0.05).The prevalence of elevated blood pressure was higher in females than in males. CONCLUSION: Low parental socioeconomic status appear to be associated with higher casual blood pressure especially in female coastal Nigerian adolescents. Traditional determinants did not appear to play a significant role. Psychological stress arising from environmental and economic stressors may be responsible

Seasonal variation in admission for heart failure, hypertension and stroke in Uyo, south-eastern Nigeria

Background:Seasonal variation in hospitalization for cardiovascular disease has been described in thetemperate regions of the world as well as in Northern Nigeria. Increase admission rates during the coldseasons have been reported in these areas. No studies have been done in Southern Nigeria. This studyis thus aimed at describing the seasonal variation in admissions for heart failure, uncontrolledhypertension and hypertension related-stroke in Southern Nigeria.Methods:Hospital records of patients admitted to the medical wards of the University of Uyo Hospital(UUTH) with heart failure of all causes, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension­related stroke(Cerebrovascular accident) between January 1998 and December 2001 were used. Epi-Info 2002software was used to analyze data.Results:Of the 3500 patients admitted during the study period 542 (15.3%) were on account of heartfailure, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension related cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The meanage of patients was 52±12.8 years. The average monthly admission was eleven (11). More admissionswere recorded in the rainy (cold) season than in the dry (hot) season. The observed difference washowever statistically significant only for heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension (P<.05).Conclusion:Admissions for heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension are therefore more during thewet (cold) season in southern Nigeria. This may be attributed to the high default rate to follow up visitin this season when agriculturalactivity is intense and less attention given to medical care. This leads topoor compliance to medications and clinical deterioration. The already bad road network both in ruraland urban centers also become worse at this time making access to medical care difficult. Facilities andmeasures should thus be put in place to provide adequate medical care for these patients during thatperiod of the yea