The OneWellness team gathered vox pop on the streets of Ikeja, Lagos. We wanted to find out the general knowledge of Nigerians on chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. We interviewed Nigerians of different gender and age groups about hypertension and diabetes.

Here is how it went:

Candidate 1: Mr. T, Male, Early 40s

Onewellness: Good day Sir, How are you doing today?

Mr. T: I am fine, thank you.

Onewellness: Okay Sir. We would like to understand what you know about blood pressure.

Mr. T: To my knowledge, blood pressure is when your bp is high. Is not that what you mean?

Onewellness: I will burst one myth here. Blood pressure is not high blood pressure. Blood pressure is a normal phenomenon that happens in the body. When the blood is flowing through your vessels like your veins, that force it is using is called blood pressure. What you are talking about is high blood pressure.

Mr. T: Ohhhhh

Onewellness: Exactly. So what have you heard about high blood pressure?

Mr. T: Well not much. I know high blood pressure varies in individuals. Some people are stressed. Stress can increase blood pressure. Overthinking can increase blood pressure. There are many things that can increase a person’s blood pressure. For me, it is important for anybody to know how to control their blood pressure. Very important.

Onewellness: I noticed you did not mention food. Do you think food can influence a person’s blood pressure?

Mr. T: Yes.

Onewellness: What foods can increase the risk of a person’s blood pressure rising?

Mr. T: Ahhh. Having too much sugar in your system can increase blood pressure. You know, there are certain foods you have to eat to have a balanced diet. But if you do not have it, for example, you eat too many carbohydrates you would have more glucose in your body. Before you know it, you have body pains, and waist pain, then you start struggling and your blood pressure is going up.

Onewellness: You made a really good point. Do you think that age affects blood pressure, that younger people do not get high blood pressure? It is only for older people.

Mr. T: High blood pressure is not restricted to any age group. Young people also have blood pressure. I believe they say hereditary has something to do with it. So it does not matter your age.

Onewellness: Okay Sir. I have another question. This one is about high blood sugar or diabetes. What have you heard about blood sugar?

Mr. T: Well, all I know about blood sugar is this. You need to check your blood sugar first thing in the morning to know your values. If it is too high, it is hazardous and if it is too low, it is also dangerous. It has to be in the normal range.

Onewellness: Thank you very much, Sir.

You have heard from Mr. T. He has given us three tips.

1. Watch the food that you eat.

2. Hypertension does not respect age.

3. Know your numbers.

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Candidate 2: Mrs. L, Female, Mid-30s

Onewellness: Good day Ma

Mrs. L: Good day

Onewellness: Have you heard of high blood pressure and diabetes before?

Mrs. L: No.

Onewellness: You have never heard anything about hypertension and diabetes?

Mrs. L: I have heard about diabetes randomly.

Onewellness: Okay. So what did you hear?

Mrs. L: They said it kills and that it is because of too much of sweet things.

Onewellness: Does the sweet thing have anything to do with food?

Mrs. L: Yes. Food.

Onewellness; What type of food?

Mrs. L: Like rice, swallow, plantain, and other things.

Onewellness: So you think they mean we should not mean these foods at all?

Mrs. L: Yes.

Onewellness: We are going to bust another myth. You can eat these foods but what matters is the portion size. There are people that have two plates or more of rice, swallow, and any other type of carbohydrates. What you want is that when you eat these foods, make sure you have them in smaller proportions. Your vegetables and proteins should always be more than your carbohydrates.

Mrs. L: Oh wow! Thank you very much.

Onewellness: Yes Ma.Thank you too for your time.

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