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Prevalence, detection, management, and control of hypertension in Ashanti, West Africa

Francesco P Cappuccio1, Frank B Micah, Lynsey Emmett

  • 1Department of Community Health Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. f.cappuccio@sghms.ac.uk

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|March 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension is common in Ghanaian adults, especially in urban areas. Detection, treatment, and control of high blood pressure (BP) are low, particularly in rural regions, highlighting an urgent need for improved hypertension management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hypertension and stroke pose significant health risks in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Current hypertension detection and stroke prevention strategies in the region are insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence, detection, management, and control of hypertension among adults in Ashanti, Ghana.
  • To identify disparities in hypertension care between genders and urban/rural settings.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 1013 adults (385 men, 628 women) aged 55 years (SD 11) in 12 villages in Ashanti, Ghana.
  • Data collection included anthropometric measurements (height, weight), blood pressure (BP) measurements, and a detailed questionnaire.
  • Hypertension was defined as BP ≥140/90 mmHg or current drug therapy.

Main Results:

  • Overall hypertension prevalence was 28.7%, higher in semi-urban (32.9%) than rural areas (24.1%).
  • Detection rates were suboptimal (13.9% in men, 27.3% in women), with lower rates in rural areas.
  • Treatment and control rates were very low across all groups, though higher in semi-urban settings.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension is prevalent in central Ghana, with higher rates in semi-urban areas.
  • Significant gaps exist in hypertension detection, treatment, and control, especially in rural populations.
  • Urgent implementation of targeted preventive strategies for hypertension management is crucial in Ghana.

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