The burden and correlates of hypertension in rural Ghana: A cross-sectional study

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• 作者：Emmanuel Ato Williams ; Kendra Elizabeth Keenan ; Daniel Ansong ; Laura Marie Simpson ; Isaac Boakye ; Joseph Marfo Boaheng ; Dominic Awuah ; Clara Appiagyei Nkyi ; Isaac Nyannor ; Bernard Arhin ; Stephen Alder ; Lowell Scott Benson ; Ty Triston Dickerson
• 关键词：Hypertension ; Rural ; Africa ; Burden ; Correlates
• 刊名：Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research Reviews
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：July-September, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：7
• 期：3
• 页码：123-128
• 全文大小：246 K

文摘

Aim

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), of which hypertension is a major risk factor, are predicted to account for four times as many deaths as from communicable diseases by the year 2020. Hypertension, once rare, is rapidly becoming a major public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, data on its prevalence, awareness, treatment and control are paltry, especially for rural communities. This study was done to determine the burden and correlates of adult hypertension in the rural Barekese sub-district of Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 425 adults aged ¡Ý35 in the Barekese sub district (estimated population 18,510). Socio-demographic characteristics, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were collected using standardized protocols.

Results

Overall, the proportion of hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension is 44.7 % and 32.7 % respectively in the study population. However, 64.9 % of these were on treatment, with only 8.9 % having controlled blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg). The mean systolic and diastolic BP were 134.38 mmHg (standard deviation, SD: 21.46) and 84.32 mmHg (SD: 12.44). Obesity (Body Mass Index, BMI > 30 kg/m²) was found in 37 (10.4 % of the population), out of whom 7 (15.9 % ) were extremely obese (BMI > 40 kg/m²). Increasing age and level of education were positively correlated with increasing blood pressure.

Conclusion

The high burden of hypertension in this population along with the considerable less detection, treatment and control is of great concern. There is the need to promote health education measures that will foster prevention and early detection of hypertension.