The Bayelsa State Ministry of Health has raised concern over the growing burden of hypertension in the state, saying many residents do not regularly check their blood pressure and are often diagnosed only after complications have developed.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, disclosed this on Thursday while interacting with journalists and presenting the ministry’s scorecard in Yenagoa on the theme, “Mid-Year Review.”
Brisibe said data generated from a previous hypertension and diabetes screening exercise showed a prevalence of about 10 to 15 per cent among those screened, with higher rates recorded among older residents and males.
He said the figures should serve as a warning to residents and health authorities, particularly because hypertension could remain undetected for a long period.
He said, “What we discovered is that the prevalence is about 10 to 15 per cent, most especially for those above 45, 50, and is a little bit higher among males.”
