Nigerian Population Research on Environment, Gene and Health (NIPREGH) - objectives and protocol

Sub
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Saharan Africa is currently undergoing an epidemiological transition from a disease burden largely attribu-table to communicable diseases to that resulting from a combination of both communicable and chronic non
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com-municable diseases. Data on chronic disease incidence, lifestyle, environmental and genetic risk factors are sparse inthis region. This report aimed at providing relevant information in respect to risk factors that increase blood pressureand lead to development of intermediate cardiovascular phenotypes. We presented the rationale, objectives and keymethodological features of the Nigerian Population Research on Environment, Gene and Health (NIPREGH) study.The challenges encountered in carrying out population study in this part of the world and the approaches at sur-mounting them were also presented. The preliminary data as at 20 November 2013 showed that out of the 205 indi-viduals invited starting from early April 2013, 160 (72 women) consented and were enrolled; giving a response rate of 78%. Participants

age ranged from 18 to 80 years, with a mean (SD) of 39.8 (12.4) years and they were of 34different ethnic groups spread over 24 states out of the 36 states that constitute Nigeria. The mean (SD) of office and home blood pressures were 113.0 (15.2) mm Hg systolic, 73.5 (12.5) mm Hg diastolic and 117.3 (15.0) mm Hgsystolic, and 76.0 (9.6) mm Hg diastolic, respectively. Forty
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three (26.8%) participants were hypertensive and 8(5.0%) were diabetic. In addition to having the unique potential of recruiting a cohort that is a true representative of the entire Nigerian population, NIPREGH is feasible and the objectives realisable