P011 PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND ASSOCIATION WITH RED MEAT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION IN A MEGACITY IN NIGERIA: A POPULATION-BASED SURVEY

Background and Objectives: Hypertension is a growing burden worldwide, but the impact is worse in developing countries especially in cities, due to epidemiologic transition, rapid urbanization and socioeconomic dynamics. We determine the current prevalence of hypertension, and association with red meat and vegetable consumption in Lagos, a megacity in Nigeria. Methods: This was a population-based opportunistic cross-sectional survey of 2244 voluntary adults ≥ 18years residents of Lagos megacity in Nigeria. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained. We measured blood pressure by Omron M3 automatic upper arm monitor after ≥5 min of rest. We defined hypertension as systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive drugs. Qualitative information on meat and vegetable consumption was documented. Chi squared and multiple logistic regression methods were used to determine association and predictor of hypertension respectively, and odds ratio with confidence interval as the measure of effect size. P value of < 0.05 was taken as statistical significance. Results: 2244 participants were analyzed, with mean age of 46±14 years, and 75% were women. More than 26% were overweight or obese, 43.2% drinks alcoholic beverages, and 30.3% men and 3.5% women smoked cigarettes. The overall prevalence of hypertension was similar in males (38.1%) and females (37.4%), and it increases with age, reaching 46.7% in ≥ 60years. Daily consumption of meat (38.6% versus 28%(rarely), p =0.03), and infrequent consumption of vegetables (47.7%% versus 19.2%9 (daily intake), p = 0.006) were associated with higher prevalence of hypertension. Older age (OR, 2.133(CI, 1.61 – 2.83)), and family history of hypertension (OR, 1.51(CI, 1.20 – 1.92)) were the predictors of hypertension. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension is high among middle age urban dwellers in Lagos, Nigeria. Avoidance of red meat, and increased consumption of vegetables, may reduce the burden of hypertension in the population.