Misinformation, Poor Access To Drugs Fuel Hypertension — Medical Expert

A medical expert, Dr Joy Audu, has raised the alarm over cases of hypertension among young adults, with some patients recording blood pressure readings as high as 230/100mmHg. Audu, a volunteer with Pro-Health International, disclosed this to LEADERSHIP.

She said some of the patients diagnosed with high blood pressure were in their 30s and 40s.
Audu attributed the challenge to ignorance, misinformation, poor access to prescribed medicines and reliance on unqualified practitioners, particularly in rural communities.

According to her, some patients diagnosed with hypertension and placed on medication by doctors discontinued treatment after being told by people in their communities that blood pressure drugs should not be taken daily.

Audu said some patients also rejected medical diagnoses despite recording high blood pressure, with some dismissing the condition on religious grounds or because they had no family history of hypertension.

She noted that hypertension could have several contributing factors, including family history, genetic and environmental factors, warning that prolonged untreated hypertension could affect the eyesight and kidneys and cause erectile dysfunction in men.

The medical expert also identified poor access to prescribed medicines as a major challenge, saying some patients could afford their drugs but were unable to find them in their communities.

She said the situation leaves patients vulnerable to unqualified practitioners who provide alternative medicines without adequate knowledge of their medical conditions.

Audu stressed the need for sustained health education, particularly in rural communities, to address misinformation and improve people’s understanding of hypertension. “It is important to create awareness, to sensitise, and then to treat and counsel,” she said.

She noted that religious, environmental and geographical factors could influence people’s health-seeking behaviour, urging patients to seek proper medical attention and adhere to prescribed treatment.

She also called for improved access to essential medicines in rural communities to reduce reliance on unqualified practitioners and unverified treatment.