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Medical Science OPEN ACCESS

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.
DOI Crossref DOI 10.37547/tajmspr/Volume08Issue03-08
tajmspr 2026
VOL. 8 / NO. 03 MARCH
FULL TEXT PP. 85-96
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VOLUME 8
ISSUE 03
YEAR 2026
PAGES 85-96
RESEARCH OVERVIEW

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.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Keywords

Hypertension, avoidable risk factors knowledge university students lifestyle behaviours

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