Assessment of Cardio-Anthropometric Status and Hypertension Risk Factors Among Women of Childbearing Age in Ahoada West River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim/Objective: This study aimed to determine the cardio-anthropometric status of child bearing age women with focus on factors responsible to the development of hypertension in Ahoada west LGA River state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive random sampling method was adopted for this study using Youngkang Zhenzhong and calibrated meter rule to determine weight (kg) and height(m) while Omron digital apparatus was used to determine the cardiovascular status of all the subjects (271). All data obtained were documented in a structured questionnaire. Results: The age of the respondents ranges from 18 to >36yrs.Regarding their educational status, 45.93%, 41.48%, and 11.85% possess tertiary, secondary and primary education in relation with those without (0.74%) without any qualifications. Married couples were 74.08% and single 16.29% while divorce and separation was 1.48% and 8.15% respectively. Their major occupation was civil service (28.89%) and business (32.59%) while house wives were 19.26% and unemployed 14.82% in relation with students of 4.44%. The study also observed (15.19%) hypertensive (40.37%) Prehypertensive, 44.44% normal and 0.00% hypotensive subjects among child bearing age women. Moreso, the SBP of participants above 36% was elevated (132mmHg %) including their MAP (103.33mmhg %) with a significant p-value of 0.00 and a pulse rate of 69.00bpm of 0.04 significant p-value compared with younger respondents of normal values. The anthropometric indices shows 5.93% underweight, 44.44% normal, 23.33% overweight and 26.29% obese while the statistical value shows 22.09kg/m² (18-24yrs),25.98kg/m² (25-30yrs), 23.16kg/m² (31.35yrs) and 26.60kg/m² (>36yrs) with p-value of 0.00 among the study population. Furthermore the attitude of respondents towards the use of contraceptives was 48.89% yes while 51.11% decline to their use. Conclusion: The cardiovascular status increases gradually from normal to pre-hypertension stage with increasing age among the respondents’ statistically. Pre- and hypertensive subjects was quite high in terms of percentage. The percentage of overwt and obese gradually increases among the participants. Comprehensive treatment and prevention of CVD should include adherence to a healthy diet, a healthy body composition, and regular physical exercise.