| Summary: | Hypertension is a m ajor disease in the black population o f Sub-Saharan Africa and the
United States o f America. It is one o f the m ajor risks for cardiovascular mortality and
morbidity w hich contributes to disability and increased health care costs. Studies have
revealed that socio- economic changes, influenced by Western lifestyles in developing
countries, have to a large extent resulted in this health problem.
The researcher set out to conduct a survey to describe the established modifiable risk
factors for hypertension among Batswana in the Gaborone District. The modifiable risk
factors for hypertension consist o f lugh salt intake, alcohol consumption, high blood
cholesterol, high fat consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes and stress. The
setting was in a Prim ary Health Care clinic. The sample consisted o f 158 adults who
were 18 years and above and who had been diagnosed with hypertension and seen during a follow up over a period o f two months.
A face to face structured interview plus record review was used to collect data on
biographical factors, socio economic factors, lifestyle factors and medical history. A
finger pin prick to obtain a blood sample for cholesterol and glucose was done. Weight
and height were m easured to w ork out body mass index.
Descriptive statistics were used to present the interpretation o f data which was coded and
analysed by com puter using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.
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