Epidemic of hypertension in Ghana: a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundHypertension is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases in developing countries. A comprehensive review of the prevalence of hypertension provides crucial information for the evaluation and implementation of appropriate programmes.MethodsThe PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for published articles on the population-based prevalence of adult hypertension in Ghana between 1970 and August 2009, supplemented by a manual search of retrieved references. Fifteen unique population-based articles in non-pregnant humans were obtained. In addition, two relevant unpublished graduate student theses from one university department were identified after a search of its 1996-2008 theses.ResultsThe age and sex composition of study populations, sampling strategy, measurement of blood pressure, definition of hypertension varied between studies. The prevalence of hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg ± antihypertensive treatment) ranged from 19% to 48% between studies. Sex differences were generally minimal whereas urban populations tended to have higher prevalence than rural population in studies with mixed population types. Factors independently associated with hypertension included older age group, over-nutrition and alcohol consumption. Whereas there was a trend towards improved awareness, treatment and control between 1972 and 2005, less than one-third of hypertensive subjects were aware they had hypertension and less than one-tenth had their blood pressures controlled in most studies.ConclusionHypertension is clearly an important public health problem in Ghana, even in the poorest rural communities. Emerging opportunities such as the national health insurance scheme, a new health policy emphasising health promotion and healthier lifestyles and effective treatment should help prevent and control hypertension.

An overview of the nutrition transition in West Africa: implications for non-communicable diseases

“…A similar increase in rural hypertension was observed in rural communities in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana after 28 years (78) . In many West African cities, more than 25 % of adults have hypertension (76,79) . This is the case, for example, with Ouagadougou (40·2 %) (64) , St Louis (46 %) (80) , Accra (54·6) % (73) , Dakar (27·5 %) (81) and Lome (26·6 %) (82) .…”

Utilisation of outpatient healthcare services among elderly people with Hypertension in Ghana

“…For instance, new reported cases rose from 49,087 in 1988 to 505,180 in 2007 [11,12]. Hypertension is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases across the globe.…”

State of dietetics practice in Ghana

“…This is critical as overweight and obesity prevalence rises sharply in tandem with the risk of non-communicable diseases. 9,12,18 Another important issue that demands attention is the increasing abuse of the dietetics profession by charlatans posing as dietitians and diet counselors. The Ghana Health Service, in partnership with the Ghana Dietetic Association as well as the newly created Allied Health Task Force needs to design and enforce regulatory mechanisms for ensuring appropriate professional conduct and practice.…”

“…9 In 2002, an estimated 8% of diabetes prevalence among men in Accra suggests a rapid increase over 0.2% observed among men in Ho in the sixties. 13 These reports highlight the need for competent dietitians to provide preventive and therapeutic dietetic services as part of a national NCD strategy.…”

“…8 Developing countries such as Ghana are currently recording diet-related diseases at a rather fast pace. 9,10 In 2008, one-third of Ghanaian women were overweight or obese. 11 Another survey in urban Accra reported 35% obesity plus 28% overweight among adult women.…”