Causes And Prevention Of High Blood Pressure In Elderly People

Project and Seminar Material for Public Health

Causes And Prevention Of High Blood Pressure In Elderly People (Charles)

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the causes and prevention of high blood pressure in elderly people using Okpanam, Asaba, Delta State. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria, ascertain the causes the high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria, and ascertain the preventive measures of high blood pressure among the elderly in Nigeria. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprised of elderly people residing in Okpanam LGA, Asaba, Delta State. In determining the sample size, the researcher purposefully selected 147 respondents and 141 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, and mean scores. While the hypotheses was tested Chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that there is prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study revealed that the causes the high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria includes: obesity, lack of exercise, consumption of excess salt, alcohol and smoking. Therefore, it is recommended that there is need to be educated through about hypertension and its risk factors. This can be done by having different programmes or articles on the subject. To mention but a few.

Table of Content

Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Content
List of Tables
Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses
4.5 Discussion of Findings

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

High blood pressure is referred to as hypertension in medical terminology. When someone has hypertension, their systolic blood pressure (SBP) is more than 140 millimeters mercury (mm Hg), and their diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is greater than 90 millimeters mercury (mm Hg), according to the American Heart Association (Kofi, 2015). Individuals’ hypertension-related knowledge and actions have a critical role in managing hypertension and preventing the development of long-term consequences. People with hypertension must be equipped with the knowledge they need to cope with themselves, to be able to identify their illness, to analyze risk factors, and to recognize the need of long-term medication administration (Malik, Yoshida, Erkin, Salim, & Hamajima, 2016).

Patients’ knowledge and attitudes have an impact on the care of their illnesses, and increasing patient knowledge is beneficial. It has been shown to improve adherence to therapy in illnesses such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The information and attitude of the patients may have an influence on their condition, blood pressure management, morbidity rate, and mortality rate, among other things (Jimoh et al., 2017). Aside from that, knowledge is an important factor of behavior change and healthy lifestyle behaviors in the context of high blood pressure. Controlling hypertension requires consideration of a variety of social, economic, and environmental issues. Higher levels of information gained via health education and health promotion have a significant impact on lifestyle changes in the context of hypertension. As a result, individuals should choose behaviors or lifestyles that will help them maintain an optimum level of health (Zungu & Djumbe, 2019). Furthermore, it is thought that many elderly individuals are unaware of the dangers of high blood pressure and how to prevent it. Inadequate understanding may result in severe patient concern and the incorrect use of medical care. If hypertension is allowed to go uncontrolled, particularly in rural areas where the majority of the population is illiterate, it will increase the incidence of stroke, heart failure, glaucoma, and renal failure, among other diseases.

Because of illiteracy, the majority of rural people lack understanding about hypertension, have a negative attitude about it, and practice it improperly. The blood pressure and attitude toward hypertension prevention in the neighborhood, as well as the people’s lifestyle habits, are not known at this time. Eunice Osuala (2017,). Patients with a good understanding of their condition, on the other hand, are more likely to conduct home blood pressure monitoring, which helps them stick to their prescribed medications and maintain proper blood pressure management. Individuals must have a thorough understanding of hypertension, as well as the possible health hazards associated with the illness, in order to successfully improve their quality of life (Malik et al., 2016).

Furthermore, hypertension may be divided into two categories. Primary hypertension and secondary hypertension are the terms used to describe these conditions. Ninety-five percent of the population is affected by primary hypertension, which is also known as basic hypertension. Secondary hypertension is a kind of high blood pressure that is caused by another medical problem and is less prevalent. Hypertension that is not managed might result in death (Kofi, 2015). Although the causes of hypertension are not mentioned, variables such as age, excessive salt intake, poor potassium intake, a sedentary lifestyle, concern and stress have all been identified as contributing to hypertension in the past (Kofi, 2015).

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the causes and prevention of high blood pressure in elderly people. Hypertension has emerged as a significant concern in a number of emerging nations as the epidemiological shift from transmittable to non-transferable chronic illnesses has occurred (Ahmad and Ahmad, 2015). According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2019), the number of deaths due to non-transmittable illnesses, such as hypertension, would increase by seventeen percent over the next decade, with the highest increase occurring in the African region (27 percent) (Kofi, 2015).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

High blood pressure accounts for about 13.5% of annual deaths in the world. Moreover, hypertension directly accounts for 54% of all strokes and 47% of all coronary artery disease worldwide. At the same time, the most productive segment of the population is those aged 45 to 69, who make up more than half of this burden(WHO, 2010).

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for coronary and ischaemic diseases as well as bleeding stroke. It has been shown that blood pressure levels are positively associated with the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease(WHO, 2011). One of the most modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is hypertension. However, awareness towards the treatment and control of hypertension is extremely low among the low and middle-income counties (LMICs), including Nigeria. On top of this, the health care resources of the LMICs are overwhelmed by other priorities, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. As a result, many LMICs have not yet given due attention to its prevention and control(Tesfaye, & Wall, 2009).

Hypertension is a worldwide burden and is one of the leading causes of mortality. It develops lots of complications rapidly with different stages and leading to death. The prevalence of hypertension is in increasing in the elderly population in Nigeria, hence this study seek to analyze the causes and prevention of high blood pressure in elderly people.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The general objective of the study is to examine the causes and prevention of high blood pressure in elderly people. Specifically, the study will be guided under the following:

Determine the prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria.
Ascertain the causes the high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria.
Ascertain the preventive measures of high blood pressure among the elderly in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Question

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria?
What are the causes the high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria?
What are the preventive measures of high blood pressure among the elderly in Nigeria?

1.5 Research hypothesis

The following hypothesis have been formulated for the study:

Ho: There is no high prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria.
Ha: There is a high prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance of the study

The study will be significant to ministry of health as this will expose them to the need of creating awareness on high blood pressure and also training health care personnel on knowledge, practice and attitude of patients and how to treat and handle patient with high blood pressure.

This study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study will focus on the causes and prevention of high blood pressure in elderly people. Empirically, the study will explore the prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria, the causes the high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria, and the preventive measures of high blood pressure among the elderly in Nigeria. This study will be delimited to Okpanam, Asaba, Delta State.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Knowledge:

Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

Attitude:

A settled way of thinking or feeling about something.

Practice:

The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it.

Management:

The process of dealing with or controlling things or people.

Prevention:

The action of stopping something from happening or arising.

High Blood Pressure:

Blood pressure that is higher than normal.

1.10 Organization of the Studies

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the causes and prevention of high blood pressure in elderly people using Okpanam, Asaba, Delta State as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was to examine the causes and prevention of high blood pressure in elderly people using Okpanam, Asaba, Delta State as a case study. The study specifically was aimed to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria, ascertain the causes the high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria, and ascertain the preventive measures of high blood pressure among the elderly in Nigeria.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 141 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents are elderly people residing in Okpanam LGA, Asaba, Delta State.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.

There is prevalence of high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria.
The causes the high blood pressure in elderly people in Nigeria includes: obesity, lack of exercise, consumption of excess salt, alcohol and smoking.
The preventive measures of high blood pressure among the elderly in Nigeria? Includes: exercise regular, limit alcohol consumption, aim for a healthy weight, and quit smoking.

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.

There is need to be educated through about hypertension and its risk factors. This can be done by having different programmes or articles on the subject.
The health workers have to play part by educating the people and also themselves being an example in avoiding the risk factors for hypertension like consumption of fatty food, alcohol and smoking.
People have to be educated on the importance of physical exercises and have to be encouraged to do them.