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Malawi Medical Journal
College of Medicine, University of Malawi and Medical Association of Malawi
ISSN: 1995-7262
Vol. 29, No. 2, 2017, pp. 113-117
Bioline Code: mm17026
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

Malawi Medical Journal, Vol. 29, No. 2, 2017, pp. 113-117

 en Prescription pattern of antihypertensive medications and blood pressure control among hypertensive outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria
Adejumo, Oluseyi; Okaka, Enajite & Iyawe, Ikponmwosa

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of hypertension and attendant cardiovascular disease burden is increasing globally. Auditing antihypertensive prescriptions and assessing patients with hypertension for blood pressure (BP) control are important steps on the path to reducing hypertension-related morbidity, mortality, and health expenditure. This study assessed the prescription pattern of antihypertensive medications and BP control among hypertensive outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that involved 224 hypertensive patients. Information obtained from participants included sociodemographic data, duration of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus, and number and classes of antihypertensive medications used. Good BP control was defined as a mean BP less than 140/90 mmHg.
Results
The mean age of hypertensive subjects was 59.6 ± 12.2 years, with a male:female ratio of 1:1.9 and a median duration of hypertension of 5 years. Twenty-four participants (10.7%) had both hypertension and diabetes. The common classes of antihypertensive medications used were diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCB), and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). Forty participants (17.8%) were on monotherapy, while the rest were on multidrug therapy. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive combination was diuretic + ACEI/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), followed by diuretic + CCB + ACEI/ARB.
Good BP control was observed in 120 participants (53.6%). The proportion of patients with good BP control was largest among patients on monotherapy and those with tertiary education, though these observations were not statistically significant.
Conclusions
The pattern of prescribed antihypertensive medications complied with recommended guidelines. Blood pressure control amongst hypertensive patients was unsatisfactory. More efforts should be geared towards better BP control.

 
© Copyright 2017 - The College of Medicine and the Medical Association of Malawi
Alternative site location: http://revista.uft.edu.br/index.php/jbb/index

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