Awareness and Prevalence of Hypertension Among Young Undergraduate Students in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State

Hypertension is a growing health concern among young adults, with this study assessing its awareness, prevalence, and risk factors among undergraduate students in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 300 participants were surveyed through structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood pressure assessments. The findings revealed a hypertension prevalence of 44.7%, with an additional 27.3% classified as pre-hypertensive, indicating that over 70% of respondents were either hypertensive or at risk. Although 80.7% were aware of hypertension, only 15% had ever checked their blood pressure, reflecting a significant gap between awareness and preventive action. Key contributing factors included poor dietary habits, such as high consumption of sodium-rich and calorie-dense foods, and sedentary lifestyles, with 78.7% of respondents not engaging in regular physical activity. Anthropometric assessments showed that 31.7% of participants were overweight or obese, with 78.9% of hypertension cases occurring within this group. Abdominal obesity was also prominent, as 54.5% of males and 36.1% of females had high-risk waist-hip ratios. A family history of hypertension was reported by 25.3% of respondents, further emphasizing genetic predisposition as a critical risk factor. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, including regular blood pressure screenings, health education on lifestyle modifications, and university policies promoting healthy diets and physical activity. While the findings provide valuable insights, limitations such as reliance on self-reported data and the focus on a single faculty suggest the need for broader and longitudinal research. These results underscore the urgency of addressing modifiable risk factors to reduce hypertension prevalence and improve the long-term health outcomes of young adults.