Correlates of undiagnosed hypertension among health care workers in a secondary health care facility in north central Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, yet many health care workers rarely check their blood pressure. The detection of hypertension among health care workers is key to prevention of hypertension, its attendant complications in the community and a strategy for health care workers retention. Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlates of undiagnosed hypertension among health care workers in a secondary health care facility. Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, sociodemographic variables and risk factors for hypertension were obtained. Measurements of blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference were carried out and body mass index calculated. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 41.9%. The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 35.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that age greater than 42 years (OR=0.24; 95%CI: 0.10-0.72) is a significant correlate of undiagnosed hypertension. Those who self-reported that they had been diagnosed to have hypertension were 15.5% of the study population. Among those who had self-reported hypertension, 79.1% were found to have hypertension by the researchers while among those who had no history of hypertension, 35.1% were hypertensive. When a history of hypertension is used as a screening test for the diagnosis of hypertension, it gave a sensitivity of 29.2%, a specificity of 94.4%, a positive predictive value of 79.1%, a negative predictive value of 64.9% and an accuracy of 67.1%. Conclusion: One in three persons had undiagnosed hypertension and those who were over 42 years are at risk for undiagnosed hypertension. This calls for urgent workplace strategies to create more awareness as a prevention and control strategy for the facility and the general population

Paediatric Morbidity and Mortality in a Suburban Hospital in Jos, North -Central Nigeria.

Background: Even though there has been some decline in childhood mortality, figures still remain high in sub- Saharan Africa. The pattern of morbidity and mortality in health care institutions may be a reflection of the disease burden of the community which it serves and will facilitate prevention/ control strategies. This study was conducted to determine the pattern of paediatric morbidity and mortality in a secondary level hospital in a sub – urban area in Jos, North – central Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study is a review of paediatric admissions into the Vom Christian Hospital. Relevant data on all children who were admitted into the Vom Christian Hospital between May 2012 and April 2013 with medical conditions were retrieved from the admissions records. Data were entered into excel spread sheet and analyzed using Epi info 7. A p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 334 children aged between one day and 15 years were admitted during the period, out of which 235 (70.4%) were children less than 5 years old. Infections (221, 66.2%) were the major causes of morbidity. Out of all the 334 admissions, 304(91%) were discharged, 7 (2.1%) left against medical advice, 6(1.8%) were referred, while 17 (5.1%) died. Malaria was the commonest cause of morbidity (102, 30.5%) and mortality (6, 35.3%). Severe protein energy malnutrition had the highest case fatality rate (25%). Conclusion: The burden of paediatric morbidity and mortality is in children under 5 years and are mainly preventable. An emphasis on malaria eradication and child survival strategies will help to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality.