Medical Science
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DOI: Knowledge of Avoidable Risk Factors of Hypertension and Their Association with Hypertension Status Among University Students in The United Kingdom
Freedom Nwakaego Igheghe , MScPH , Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, , PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo , MPH, Family Health International, Ukraine; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Tina Puri , MBA, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Gordon Mabengban Yakpir , PhD, Faculty of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, GBS Partnership, Birmingham Campus, United Kingdom; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom Chika Oguguo , PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Kenneth Oshiokhayamhe Iyevhobu , MPH, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Health Science, Edo State University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Maame Ama Owusuaa-Asante , PhD, Department of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, GBS Partnership, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Efe Clement Abel , MPH, Clinical Service Department, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Kingsley Chike Madubuike , FMCPath, Histopathology Department, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Mary Oluwayemisi Akadiri , MSc, Department of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University Partnership, Birmingham Campus, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Leonard Nnamdi Meruo , MHPM, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Dental Public Health, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; Department of Oral Pathology, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Chisom Lucky Emeka , PhD, Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit/Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, World Health Organisation Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu , PhD, World Health Organization, United Nations House, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Abba Sadiq Usman , MScPH, Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Maiduguri Field Office, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Jerry Soni , MPH, United Nations World Food Programme, Damascus, Syria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Chinaza Amalachukwu Emegoakor, , MBChB, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Barth Onyekachi Nwokedi , MScPH, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. David Samuel Otu , MPH, University of Aberdeen, Scotland; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom Tiphonas Moses Omale , MNSc, College of Nursing Science, Gombe State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Nneka Gloria Anazodo , MSc, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Eke Desmond Onyebuchukwu , MSc, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Ekenedilichukwu Anselem Odiegwu , MScPH, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Nwora Chinonso Oli , MBBS, Department of Paediatrics, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Orevaoghene Precious Edewor , MBBS, Department of Anaesthetics, Hull Royal Infirmary, HUTH, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Bassey Etim Ekpo-Bassey , MBBS, The Life Fertility, Agege, Lagos, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Akeem Omokide , B. Pharm, Policy Vault Africa; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.Abstract
Hypertension remains a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality worldwide, with increasing prevalence observed among younger populations. Although avoidable lifestyle factors account for a substantial proportion of hypertension risk, prevention efforts depend heavily on adequate awareness and understanding of these factors. This study examines the level of knowledge of avoidable risk factors of hypertension among university students in England and evaluates the relationship between these factors and hypertension status. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to students at a large English university. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Findings indicate a high level of knowledge of avoidable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, obesity, high salt intake, and junk food consumption. Despite this, significant associations were observed between several avoidable risk factors and hypertension status, particularly alcohol use, body mass index, salt intake, and frequent consumption of junk food. The results highlight a clear disjunction between knowledge and health behaviour, suggesting that awareness alone is insufficient to reduce hypertension risk among university students. The study underscores the need for prevention strategies that extend beyond information provision to address behavioural, social, and environmental drivers of risk.
Keywords
Hypertension, avoidable risk factors, knowledge, university students, lifestyle behaviours
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Copyright (c) 2026 Freedom Nwakaego Igheghe, Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu,, Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo, Tina Puri, Gordon Mabengban Yakpir, Chika Oguguo, Kenneth Oshiokhayamhe Iyevhobu, Maame Ama Owusuaa-Asante, Efe Clement Abel, Kingsley Chike Madubuike, Mary Oluwayemisi Akadiri, Leonard Nnamdi Meruo, Chisom Lucky Emeka, Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu, Abba Sadiq Usman, Jerry Soni, Chinaza Amalachukwu Emegoakor, , Barth Onyekachi Nwokedi, David Samuel Otu, Tiphonas Moses Omale, Nneka Gloria Anazodo, Eke Desmond Onyebuchukwu, Ekenedilichukwu Anselem Odiegwu, Nwora Chinonso Oli, Orevaoghene Precious Edewor, Bassey Etim Ekpo-Bassey, Akeem Omokide
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