Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Factors among Inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres

Background: This cross-sectional survey aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension among inmates in Nigerian correctional centres and explore associated risk factors.

Methods: The study included 270 adult inmates (20 years and above) from Owerri Correctional Facility and Onitsha Correctional Facility. Data was collected between August and October 2022 using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and measurements of anthropometric indices (e.g., BMI, waist circumference) and blood pressure (BP). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a significance level of 0.05.

Results: The 270 questionnaires administered were all retrieved, cleansed and analyzed. The majority of participants were male (95.93%), of Igbo ethnicity (77.41%), and married (77.04%). The mean age was 41.49 years (SD = 11.29). The prevalence of hypertension was 73.70%, with 34.07% classified as stage 1 hypertension and 21.48% as stage 2 hypertension. None of the participants were aware of their hypertensive status, and none were on medication for hypertension. Factors significantly associated with hypertension included age (p = 0.027), level of education (p = 0.017), duration of incarceration (p = 0.011), conviction status (p = 0.000), occupation before incarceration (p = 0.000), alcohol consumption (p = 0.003), smoking history (p = 0.001), and prior awareness of hypertension (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Hypertension is highly prevalent among inmates in Nigerian correctional centres, with the majority of affected individuals unaware of their condition. Various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors contributed to the increased risk of hypertension among this population. Early detection, management, and health education programs are essential to address this public health concern in correctional facilities.