Hypertension in southeastern Ghana: Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide with 82% of these deaths occurring in low to middle income countries. Over the last 30 years, rates of hypertension (HTN) in Ghana have drastically increased and are an emerging public health problem. Our study objective was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of HTN in rural southeastern Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data was collected at several health care and non-health care-based locations in the Ketu and Keta Districts. Consenting subjects were administered a questionnaire via an interpreter and had blood pressure, height, and weight measured. Blood pressure was measured three times at two minute intervals following the questionnaire. Student's t-tests and Chi-squared analyses were used to evaluate significant differences in HTN occurrence, awareness, treatment, and control.

Results: The study population was comprised of 269 participants, all ≥ 18 years in age. The average age was 44.5 (±16.5) years, 63% were females (n= 168), and 69% were non-patients (n=186). Participants were not significantly obese, with 77% having a BMI <30, and few reported being diabetic (3%) or smoking (3%). The prevalence of HTN was 40%. 56% of subjects were aware of their HTN, 54% were being treated, and 22% had their HTN controlled.

Conclusions: HTN is highly prevalent despite the leanness of the population, low rates of smoking, and low rates of diabetes. Awareness, treatment, and control are slightly greater than rates reported in previous studies conducted in Ghana.