Hypertension and obesity among paralytic poliomyelitis survivors in Nigeria

Publication date: Available online 25 November 2014 Source:Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal Author(s): Abiola A. Atowoju , Babatunde O.A. Adegoke , Joseph F. Babalola Hypertension and obesity have been reported as prevalent cardiovascular risk indicators among poliomyelitis (polio) survivors in developed countries, but findings from developed countries may not be directly extrapolated to Nigeria because of racial and environmental differences. This cross-sectional survey aimed at providing reference data on the prevalence of hypertension and obesity among polio survivors in Nigeria. Resting blood pressure (RBP) and body mass index (BMI) were assessed in 252 (119 males and 133 females) consecutively recruited participants. Participants' mean age was 34.0 ± 9.1 years (range = 21–52 years) and polio was contracted at an mean age of 3.2 ± 2.2 years. Participants' RBP and BMI were categorized using the British Hypertension Society Classification and World Health Organization BMI Scale, respectively. Approximately 25% and 48% of the participants had hypertension and prehypertension, respectively. Overweight/obesity was present in about 41% of the participants. Prevalence of hypertension and obesity from this study were lower than values previously reported for populations in developed countries, probably due to the relatively younger age of participants. Prevalence of hypertension was, however, higher than the national average for the non-physically challenged adult...
Source: Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal - Category: Physiotherapy Source Type: research