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

Emmanuel Ato Williams1, Kendra Elizabeth Keenan, Daniel Ansong

  • 1Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box 1934, Kumasi, Ghana. williams_ato@yahoo.com

Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome
|August 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension is highly prevalent in rural Ghana, with nearly half of adults affected. Despite treatment, blood pressure control remains very low, highlighting a critical public health concern.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Cardiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), projected to cause significantly more deaths than communicable diseases by 2020.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a growing burden of hypertension, particularly in rural areas where data is scarce.
  • This study addresses the lack of information on hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in rural Ghana.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and correlates of adult hypertension in the Barekese sub-district of Ghana.
  • To assess the current status of hypertension detection, treatment, and control in a rural Ghanaian population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 425 adults aged 35 and above in the Barekese sub-district.
  • Data collected included socio-demographic information, risk factors, blood pressure measurements, and anthropometric data.
  • Standardized protocols were employed for all data collection procedures.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of hypertension was 44.7%, with isolated systolic hypertension at 32.7%.
  • Only 8.9% of hypertensive individuals had controlled blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg), despite 64.9% being on treatment.
  • Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) was present in 10.4% of the population, with increasing age and education positively correlated with blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • A high burden of hypertension exists in this rural Ghanaian population, coupled with low detection, treatment, and control rates.
  • Urgent public health interventions are needed to improve hypertension prevention, early detection, and management.
  • Health education initiatives are crucial for fostering better hypertension control in the community.
Abstract

Keywords:
AfricaBurdenCorrelatesHypertensionRural

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