Hypertension: risk perception and health seeking behaviour of long-distance drivers in Port Harcourt.

BACKGROUND

Driving as an occupation is associated with the occurrence of heart-related diseases such as hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the perception of modifiable risk factors of hypertension and the health seeking behaviour of long-distance commercial bus drivers in Port Harcourt Metropolis.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used to obtain data from 272 long distance commercial drivers. Data were analysed descriptively using SPSS version 24.0. (p≤0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 272 questionnaires were completed and returned (100%). Respondents' mean age was 43.4 ± 8.9. In scoring for perception of modifiable risk factors of hypertension among the drivers, (45.6%) respondents had a high perception score while 148 (54.4%) respondents had a low perception score. In assessing for health seeking behaviour, 190 (69.9%) had checked their blood pressure at least once in their lifetime, 80 (42.1%) of those who had checked, did so over a year ago. However, 18 (9.5%) respondents were on medication for hypertension in the last one month.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that a greater number of the drivers had a low perception of modifiable risk factors of hypertension. Regular health checks were also not observed among participants. There is need for targeted health education for this group.