Prevalence And Management Of Hypertension In Africa Culture

Abstract Hypertension is a chronic medical condition that severely increases the risks of other ailments such as heart, kidney and brain diseases. Globally, about 1 billion individuals are hypertensive with an associated death rate of approximately 7.1 million deaths in a year. Contrary to the earlier belief that hypertension is a disease of adulthood, recent findings have shown that hypertension can start early in life (adolescent) and progress to adulthood. The rate of hypertension in Africa is the highest (about 46% of adults) in the world, but only about 50% of those with hypertension in Africa are diagnosed. Over the past few decades, the burden of hypertension, and its contribution to consequent cardiovascular diseases in Africa, has been rising and is expected to nearly double by the year 2030. Cases of hypertension that have not been diagnosed, poorly treated or not treated at all among the larger population in the African region is the main reason for this increase. This therefore highlights the need for the implementation of strategies that are timely and appropriate in the diagnosis, control, and prevention of hypertension in Africa. Considering how expensive hypertension treatment can be, in relation to the low income in many African countries. Given the high cost of hypertension treatment, especially medication, relative to average income in many African countries, preventive measures such as higher awareness and enhanced physical activity, regulation of body weight and diet adjustment offers the best chance of mitigating the effects of hypertension on both mortality and morbidity. This study reviewed the available and recent literature on the prevalence and management/control of hypertension in Africa to understand the main reason or factors responsible for this. This study material will serve as an online learning material for Savonia UAS NURSKL-course. Low level of hypertension awareness, management and control are the main reasons for the high prevalence of hypertension in Africa. This situation is further compounded by other factors such as lack of standard guidelines on the management of hypertension, unhealthy lifestyle, low compliance with treatment, erroneous cultural belief/practices, use of inappropriate therapy, genetic factors, conflicts and wars, as well as low level of education and living standards occasioned by poverty. There is urgent need for involvement of government in African countries in the enhancement of awareness, detection, general control and management of hypertension in the African region