ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a major public health challenge worldwide. It is acknowledged as an important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly among the elderly. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and pattern of hypertension among the elderly in Osun state, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The study involved 425 respondents aged 60 years and above selected randomly in five local government areas in Osun state. The blood pressure was measured (using a standardized Accoson® type pneumatic mercury sphygmomanometer); weight and height of the respondents were checked and recorded in mmHg, Kg and meters respectively. Data were presented using descriptive statistics, charts and frequency distribution table. Statistical association between categorical variables was assessed using Chi-square method at 5% level of significance.Results: Prevalence of hypertension among elderly was 44.7%. Among other factors, respondents’ body mass index BMI was found significantly associated with hypertension, p=0.009. However, prevalence of hypertension was higher for respondents that were; rural dwellers, female, not living with spouse, without viable source of income and engaging in little or no physical activity compared to their counterparts. Respondent’s BMI and sex were also found to be statistically significantly associated, p=0.011.Conclusions: Prevalence of hypertension was high among the elderly in this study. Health interventions aimed at reducing the diseases should encourage increased physical activities and incorporate financial empowerment schemes particularly for elderly women in rural settings.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Randomised controlled trials (RCT s) are gold standard in the evaluation of treatment efficacy in medical investigations, only if well designed and implemented. Till date, distorted views and misapplications of statistical procedures involved in RCTs are still in practice. Hence, clarification of concepts and acceptable practices related to certain statistical issues involved in the design, conduct and reporting of randomised controlled trials is needed. This narrative synthesis aimed at providing succinct but clear information on the concepts and practices of selected statistical issues in RCT s to inform correct applications. The use of tests of significance is no longer acceptable as means to compare baseline similarity between treatment groups and in determining which covariate(s) should be included in the model for adjustment. Distribution of baseline attributes simply presented in tabular form is however, rather preferred. Regarding covariate selection, such approach that makes use of information on the degree of correlation between the covariate(s) and the outcome variable is more in tandem with statistical principle(s) than that based on tests of significance. Stratification and minimisation are not alternatives to covariate adjusted analysis; in fact they establish the need for one. Intention-to-treat is the preferred approach for the evaluation of primary outcome measures and researchers have responsibility to report whether or not the procedure was followed. A major use of results from subgroup analysis is to generate hypothesis for future clinical trials. Since RCT s are gold standard in the comparison of medical interventions, researchers cannot afford the practices of distorted allocation or statistical procedures in this all important experimental design method.