Original Articles
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.4081/pjm.2026.559

Determinants of blood pressure control: the role of socioeconomic status and family support among hypertensive adults in Kano, Nigeria

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Received: 8 September 2025
Accepted: 19 December 2025
Published: 28 May 2026
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Hypertension, blood pressure control, socioeconomic status, family support

Authors

Mohammed Abubakar Abiso
Department of Family Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Zainab Abdulazeez Umar
lailatuaz@yahoo.com
Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Chinedu Michael Godpower
Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Sule Omeiza Yakubu
Department of Family Medicine, National Orthopedics Hospital, Dala, Nigeria.
Abdulgafar L. Olawunmi
Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Abdullahi Kabir Suleiman
Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Muazu Shuaibu Ishaq
Department of Family Medicine, Gombe Specialist Hospital, Nigeria.
Bukar A. Grema
Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.

Hypertension remains a critical global public health challenge and a leading cause of preventable premature mortality. Its adverse effects are amplified by coexisting risk factors, increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular and renal complications.

This study described the influence of socioeconomic status and family support on blood pressure control among hypertensive adults attending the General Outpatient Clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study was held, recruiting 382 systematically selected participants. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, socioeconomic status, family support (measured using the Perceived Social Support Family Scale), anthropometric indices, and laboratory parameters. Socioeconomic class was categorized as I, II, or III. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 with significance set at p<0.05.

Participants had a mean age of 49.1±11.3 years and 35.1% were males. Overall, 37.4% achieved good blood pressure control, with controlled systolic and diastolic pressures in 45.5% and 44.8%, respectively. Most participants (94.5%) reported strong family support. Bivariate analyses showed significant associations between blood pressure control with higher education, occupation, medication adherence, salt reduction, exercise, and strong family support. Logistic regression identified tertiary level of education (Odds Ratio, OR 0.381; 95% Confidence Interval, CI 0.192-0.756; p=0.006) and socioeconomic class III (OR 3.057, 95% CI 1.395-6.699; p=0.005) as independent predictors of good blood pressure control.

High level of educational attainment and socioeconomic status independently predict good blood pressure control among hypertensive patients. Physicians and other caregivers should prioritize patient education and address social determinants of health to improve hypertension management to achieve better outcomes.

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“Determinants of Blood Pressure Control: The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Family Support Among Hypertensive Adults in Kano, Nigeria”. 2026. Pyramid Journal of Medicine 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.4081/pjm.2026.559.
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