A Qualitative Study on the Barriers and Enablers to Effective Hypertension Management in Ghana

Background: Hypertension remains a significant public health challenge in Ghana. Understanding the experiences of hypertensive patients can inform strategies to improve their management. This study explored the perceived enablers and barriers to hypertension management among patients in the Ashanti region, Ghana, using the Chronic Care Model as a framework. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 hypertensive patients receiving care at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and subthemes. Results: Several barriers to hypertension management emerged, including economic constraints, environmental and lifestyle factors, knowledge and awareness deficits, medication-related issues, and policy and provider-level barriers. Conversely, enablers such as patient empowerment, education, healthcare access, and policy and provider support and relationships were identified. Conclusions: Effective hypertension management requires addressing a complex interplay of barriers and enablers. Interventions targeting economic factors, lifestyle modifications, knowledge dissemination, medication adherence, and systemic improvements are crucial. Additionally, empowering patients, enhancing education, improving healthcare access, and fostering strong provider-patient relationships can significantly contribute to better outcomes. Future research should investigate the impact of a multi-level intervention on hypertension management in Ghana.