Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence, awareness and practices related to the prevention of hypertension amongst traders in Uselu Market Benin City. With the increase rate of hypertension amongst the population, closing the gap amongst traders is the aim of this study. This study employed a descriptive cross- sectional design, self – structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic factors, awareness and practices related to prevention of hypertension as well identification treatment modalities used by those already diagnosed with hypertension. A multi – stage sampling technique was used to ensure representation of across the different strata of the market, with a sample size of 360. This method enhancing the reliability of the results.Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Chi – square was used to test for the relationship between awareness and the social demographic variables and multinomial logistic regression was used to predict how the sociodemographic variables contribute to the level of awareness. Independent t- test was used to compare the difference in the level of awareness between male and female participants. From the just concluded study it was observed that there was 61.39% prevalence of hypertension among traders in Uselu market, Benin city, also close to half of the respondents had moderate to high level awareness of hypertension. Majority of the respondents had good practices related to the prevention of hypertension. It is recommended that market leaders and government should collaborate to ensure that traders are properly screened as it relates to their health especially blood pressure screening.

Keywords: Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment modalities