Lifestyle Risk Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Hypertension and Diabetes among Patients Attending a Semi-rural Healthcare Facility in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: This study assessed the lifestyle risk factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among patients attending Our Lady of Apostle (OLA) Hospital, a semi-rural healthcare facility in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Study Design:  A descriptive cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Our Lady of Apostle (OLA) Hospital, Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, between January 2025 and November 2025. Methodology: The study population comprised 3,074 registered hypertensive and diabetic patients and healthcare providers at OLA Hospital. Using the Krejcie and Morgan sample-size determination table, a sample of 341 was estimated. From this population, 300 respondents were purposively selected and administered a structured questionnaire, of which 295 (98.3%) were valid for analysis. A four-item oral interview guide was also used with 41 healthcare providers during focus group discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using frequency counts and simple percentages. Results: Of the 295 respondents, smoking and alcohol consumption (33.55%), poor glycaemic control (24.74%), inadequate vegetable and fruit intake (22.73%), and lack of physical exercise (18.98%) were identified as the major lifestyle risk factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. The majority of respondents (92.88%) reported that lifestyle factors had influenced the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes to a greater extent, while 7.12% indicated a low extent. Findings from the focus group discussions corroborated these results, identifying diet, physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol use as key modifiable behavioural determinants of disease burden in the study area. Conclusion: Smoking and alcohol consumption, poor glycaemic control, physical inactivity, and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake are the major lifestyle risk factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among patients attending a semi-rural healthcare facility in Akwanga. Lifestyle modification through targeted dietary counselling, physical activity promotion, and behaviour change interventions grounded in the Health Belief Model is recommended to reduce the burden of these conditions in semi-rural Nigerian communities.