Nexus between Socio-demographic Characteristics and Risk of Hypertension among Older Adults in Selected Southwest Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases among others remain the highest burden of mortality globally. The diseases are largely caused by four modifiable risk factors such as tobacco consumption, alcohol intake, physical inactivity and poor dietary. This study aimed to examine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and the risk of hypertension among older adults in selected Southwest Nigeria. A total number of 1,296 respondents were selected across three Southwest Nigeria such as Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was analyzed using a Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR). Socio-demographic characteristics such asage, education and state of residence remain the factors significantly related to the risk of hypertension among older adults in Southwest Nigeria. The study recommended that the government at both federal, state and local should improve on the policy and program interventions that will increase awareness of risk factors for NCDs so as to reduce the burden of NCDs in Nigeria.
KEY WORDS: Socio-demographic Characteristics, Hypertension, Older Adults