KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF SELECTED BANKERS AND DRIVERS IN LAGOS STATE ABOUT HYPERTENSION
ARINOLA JODA*, OLUBUSOLA OLUGBAKE AND ABIOLA OGUNMOYOLE
| Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idiaraba campus, Lagos, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 12(2): 181-192 ; 2020 ABSTRACT Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Its impact remains a profound public health problem, and adequate knowledge about the disease remains poor in many developing countries. Studies show variable hypertension prevalence among employees in different work environments. The aim of the study was to determine respondents’ knowledge about hypertension, document their practices and compare blood pressure readings between two workforce groups. This was aescriptive study about hypertension among bankers and drivers. The study involved 200 bankers and Bus-Rapid Transit (BRT) drivers in Lagos. Approval for the study was obtained from each organization. After informed consent was obtained, semi-structured questionnaires developed for the study were administered to respondents while blood pressure was determined using a digital sphygmomanometer. Data collated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with IBM SPSS version 20.0. Results were considered statistically significant if p ≤ 0.05. A response rate of 63% was recorded for the study. Most of the respondents hypertension and knowledge of risk factors for hypertension by respondents was good (>50.0 %). About 30% of the respondents believed that hypertension is curable with 84% and 50% believing it can be managed with drugs and prayers, respectively. Knowledge and practice about hypertension were good at 81.5% and 58.5% respectively. Amiloride, 5mg plus hydroclorothiazide, 50mg (Moduretic®) and Aspirin, 75mg (Vasoprin®) were the two most common drugs known by hypertensive patients. About 8% of the respondents were known hypertensives, while the blood pressure (BP) determination showed about 16% in the hypertensive range. The study revealed that respondents’ knowledge and practice with respect to hypertension is good but still recommends sensitization of workers through public enlightenment/workplace educational campaigns to improve on deficient areas. In addition, systems should be put in place for regular BP checks for workers. Email of correspondence: arinolaj@gmail.com; KEYWORDS: Hypertension, Workforce, Bankers, Drivers, Knowledge and Practice, Antihypertensive drugs.
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