Hypertension Prevalance and its Management in Idogbo Community, Benin City, Edo State

This study investigated the role of healthcare providers in the management and control of hypertension in the Idogbo Community, Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a randomly selected sample of 267 residents. The simple random sampling technique ensured that every adult resident had an equal chance of being included. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 27), incorporating descriptive statistics and a one-sample t-test to test the study’s hypotheses. Findings revealed that hypertension is a significant health concern in Idogbo, with 45.7% of respondents reporting either personal or household experience of the condition. A statistically significant prevalence was confirmed (M = 3.42, SD = 0.89, t = 5.36, p = 0.000). Awareness levels were also found to be statistically significant (M = 3.28, SD = 0.92, t = 3.95, p = 0.000), although only 55% of respondents demonstrated an adequate understanding of hypertension and its risks. Barriers to effective management were notably high, particularly due to financial constraints, poor access to medication, and the influence of cultural beliefs (M = 3.71, SD = 1.02, t = 7.20, p = 0.000). However, the role of healthcare providers in hypertension control was statistically insignificant (M = 2.89, SD = 0.95, t = -1.82, p = 0.069), indicating a gap in routine community education and follow-up care. The study concluded that although awareness of hypertension is growing in the Idogbo community, the effectiveness of management strategies remains limited by socioeconomic and cultural challenges, and the impact of healthcare providers is currently suboptimal. It recommends enhancing community-based health education, improving access to affordable treatment, and strengthening the proactive role of healthcare workers in prevention and long-term care.