Experts warn against high intake of salt, alcohol in Akwa-ibom

From Lovina Anthony, Akwa-ibom

Experts and implementers of a Research Project tagged, “Managing Hypertension Among People Living with HIV- An Integrated Model, (MAP-IT) University of Abuja, have warned against high consumption of salt, tobacco, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle and other activities that may predispose one to developing high blood pressure.

They gave the advice in Obot Akara and Itu Local government Areas of Akwa Ibom State during a community sensitization campaigns in commemoration of World Hypertension Day with the theme: “Measure your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control it, Live Longer.”

The Associate Professor in Community Medicine, University of Uyo and Co-Investigator in the MAP-IT programme, Cardiovascular Unit, Emmanuel Ekanem called on every adults especially those at the rural areas to always check their blood pressure at the nearest primary health care centres so as to be placed on a proven anti hypertension treatment and counseling if found high.

He noted that studies have shown that hypertension is common in the communities especially people with HIV hence the move by MAP-IT to step down the sensitization to the rural communities and target the HIV population.

Ekanem stated that the prevalence rate of hypertension in Akwa Ibom is between 33 to 34 percent which implies that in every 100 adults, about 34 persons have high blood pressure.

“What MAP-IT is trying to do is to bring down BP management to the rural levels, stepping down uncomplicated hypertension treatment to the primary health care centers while the cases of severe hypertension is refered to the secondary health care facilities.

One of the Practice Facilitators of Map-IT, Evelyn Eyo harped on the need for weight reduction in BP management noting that high blood pressure if not well managed could lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failures, poor libido even as she cautioned against use of packet seasonings in cooking as they have the tendency of increasing blood pressure.

Eyo warned that even if BP patients take their drugs consistently and fail to adjust their lifestyle by avoiding alcohol, engaging in exercise, eating plenty fruits and vegetables, cut down salt intake, drinking enough water among others; the high blood pressure will never come down.

On her part, Grace Uyio, another Practice Facilitator urged the people to be intentional about their health and diet saying that an adult above 18 can have a raised blood pressure hence the need to check regularly and avoid factors that can engender it.

She also urged the people to disabuse their minds that hypertension which leads to stroke is caused due to slap from ghosts saying that it’s a cardiovascular disease that could be detected on time and be managed.

Also, a Public Health Practitioner, Daniel Henry, said MAP-IT wants the people to be aware of the dangers of hypertension and know how to manage it saying that the choice of Obot Akara, Itu and Urue Offong/Oruko local councils of the state was due to prevalence of HIV in the areas as they are the target population of the project.