Sex Disparity in Blood Pressure Levels Among Nigerian Health Workers

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2016 Jul;18(7):685-9. doi: 10.1111/jch.12735. Epub 2015 Nov 19.

Abstract

Sex disparity in hypertension prevalence is well established in developed nations; however, there is paucity of data on the distribution of hypertension prevalence between the sexes in developing countries. Therefore, the authors examined sex differences in hypertension prevalence and cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of 352 healthy hospital workers in Nigeria. The mean ages of the men and women were 37.2±7.9 and 44.7±9.1 years, respectively. Thirty-five percent of participants were hypertensive, with 54% on treatment and 70% with controlled blood pressure. Men had a higher prevalence of hypertension (38.4% vs 33.0%) and prehypertension (37.6% vs 29.7%). Women had significantly higher odds of developing hypertension and of being on treatment. Mean blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose values were higher in men, while women were more often older, obese, and dyslipidemic and had a lower mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (P<.0001). These findings indicate sex disparity in blood pressure among hospital employees. Sex-focused management of hypertension is therefore advocated for hospital employees.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / epidemiology*
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Prehypertension / epidemiology*
  • Prehypertension / metabolism
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Blood Glucose