Demographic Variables and the Incidence of Hypertension in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Men's and women's health care experiences differ as they age. While increasing attention has been focused on gender differences in health status, prevalence of illness, and access to quality care among older adults, little is known about differences in their health care in the last years of their lives. To assess age and gender differences among Medicare-eligible adults in their utilization of health care services in the last year of life, gender is much more important as age in explaining most of the variations in the health outcome among people of different statuses. This study utilized structured questionnaire administered on 290 randomly selected respondents. About 86.9 % had prior knowledge about hypertension through different means such as social media, friends, healthcare delivery campaigns etc. However, their knowledge of the cause(s) of hypertension is quite low. Forty-two percent (42.7%) believed that when think or get worry only can cause hypertension. Majority (92.4%) of the respondents in their opinion says people from 50year above are liable to hypertension than people below the same age. Above forty-six percent (46.9%) of the respondents answered “yes” that gender have a role to play in the health outcome of hypertensive patients. Majority of the respondents (53.1%) in the study believe that men are liable to hypertension than women but hold on to the fact that men can survive hypertension than women.Statistical, according to Chi square test it was only age that shown a strong relationship to the health outcome people with hypertension. The study recommends more enlightenment programmes on causes and risk of hypertension and adequate, accessible and affordable health care for all hypertensive patients.