Evaluation of some cardiovascular parameters of apparently healthy pregnant women in gas flaring communities: A baseline study in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study investigated the impact of gas flares in some cardiovascular parameters of apparently healthy pregnant women residing within gas flaring communities in Bayelsa state. Out of six hundred volunteers screened, two hundred subjects met the inclusion criteria drawn from Obuna, Polaku, Immiringi and Amossoma Communities as study group. The subjects were match for age, trimesters and duration of exposure to gas flares in their respective communities. The study reveal a prevalence rate of 0.33%,0.66% and 2.33% hypertension among the pregnant women in their first, second and third trimesters but 2%,and 10.33% pre-hypertension during second and third trimesters with normal blood pressure of 6%,26.66% and 17.33% in their first through third trimesters respectively during pregnancy. However, the prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension in non-pregnant was (14%) and (4.66%). The study also reveal a significant increase (p<0.05) in the systolic, diastolic, mean arterial and pulse pressure with a decrease percentage difference in respect to their duration of exposure to gas flares. Further revelations from the study also indicate a negative effect of gas flares in the age of the subjects in relation to their blood pressures. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to gas flares will result in an increase case of hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases among pregnant women living in gas flaring communities in Bayelsa state, Nigeria.