Multivariate Analysis of Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) for the Aged in Calabar South: The Counselors Intervention Strategy on Awareness Creation on Stress Related Disorder

Abstract

Multivariate analytical study was carried out for the blood pressure (BP) indicators and body mass indices (BMI) for the aged in Calabar South Local Government area of Cross River State, Nigeria using the systolic, diastolic and pulse rate and for weight over the square of heights as indices for stress related disorders. The research focuses on multivariate analysis using principal component analysis, factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha statistics, biplot analysis, matrix plot, linear trend model and Turkey’s multiple comparative statistics between age, blood pressure and body mass index among the aged of 60 – 90 years. The study evaluated one hundred and twenty aged people separated into six groups based on age. Appropriate equipment and tools were used to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rates. The body mass index was determined using weight over square of height (kg/m2). The data generated was analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis of Minitab v17 statistical software. The results revealed that all six age brackets evaluated for the aged showed 66- 70 and 81 -85 yrs showed pre –obese conditions while the other four age brackets showed obese class 1 hypertension respectively. The results further showed that five principal components accounted for 100 percent of total variations in BMI and BP for the aged in the study area with principal component one (PC1) with eigen value of 0.398 contributing 56.90% to the observed total variation. The principal loading variable for this component was obtained from pulse rate (0.470). A trend linear model of Yt = 23.94 + 1.233 x t was obtained for the trend analysis indicating the high dependence of the BMI and BP (Y) on age (t). The results of Cronbach’s alpha statistics revealed a high level of low precision and high standard errors among all variables evaluated showing less than 70 percent. The Turkey’s multiple comparative analysis revealed high level of inconsistency among the variables as we compared one variable to another. The counselor’s intervention strategy focuses on the creation of awareness on the need for a regular and routine blood pressure check - up for the aged, the need to create awareness on the potential risk factors that predisposes aged to increased blood pressure and pulse rates, the need for urgent guidance and counseling program for the aged on the dangers of drug abuse, smoking and poor dieting and the need for government safety nets intervention program for the aged to reduce increasing stress related disorders which is highly prevalence among the aged in the area.