Table 3 Awareness and health seeking behaviour for hypertension by gender in three selected states in Nigeria
|  | Male (n = 366) n (%) | Female (n = 558) n (%) | Total (n = 924) n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Awareness of hypertension | 192 (52.5) | 333 (59.7) | 525 (56.8) |
Hypertension is curable | 127 (66.1) | 193 (58.0) | 320 (60.9) |
Hypertension is preventable | 166 (86.5) | 289 (86.8) | 455 (86.7) |
Frequency of visiting a healthcare provider | Â | Â | Â |
 Monthly | 8 (2.2) | 18 (3.2) | 26 (2.8) |
 At least once in six months | 32 (8.7) | 89 (16.0) | 121 (13.1) |
 Once in the last one year | 65 (17.8) | 91 (16.3) | 156 (16.9) |
 Never in the last one year | 261 (71.3) | 360 (64.5) | 621 (67.2) |
First step when sick | Â | Â | Â |
 Never fall sick | 71 (19.4) | 80 (14.3) | 151 (16.3) |
 Treat at home with drugs bought | 176 (48.1) | 262 (47.0) | 438 (47.4) |
 Visit nearest PHC | 27 (7.4) | 63 (11.3) | 90 (9.7) |
 Consult PPMVs/Pharmacy | 23 (6.3) | 63 (11.3) | 86 (9.3) |
 Visit other health facility | 9 (2.5) | 34 (6.1) | 43 (4.7) |
 Consult health worker in Community | 10 (2.7) | 24 (4.3) | 34 (3.7) |
 Use Herbs | 27 (7.4) | 6 (1.1) | 33 (3.6) |
 Religious houses for prayers/practice to cure illness | 1 (0.3) | 2 (0.4) | 3 (0.3) |
 Visit the traditional | 3 (0.8) | 1 (0.2) | 4 (0.4) |
 Others | 19 (5.19) | 23 (4.1) | 42 (4.6) |
History of hypertension | 14(3.8) | 52(9.3) | 66(7.1) |
Place hypertension was diagnosed (n = 65) |  |  |  |
 Hospital | 6(42.9) | 42(82.4) | 48(73.9) |
 Research/Outreach | 6(42.9) | 2(3.9) | 8(12.3) |
 PMV/Medicine Seller | 2(14.2) | 7(13.7) | 9(13.8) |