Prevalence and awareness of Hypertension among urban and rural Adults in the Keta Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Background: With the changing trends in the epidemiology of hypertension (HPT), recent studies have shown an increasing prevalence of HPT in rural than urban communities. This study examined the prevalence of HPT and its awareness among urban and ruraladults in Keta Municipality. Method: A population-based cross-sectional study involving 264 adults (18-65 years). Face-to-face interview using semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were taken following standard procedures. Differences in means were determined using t-test. Associations between independent categorical variables and HPT were determined using Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression model. The correlation coefficient was computed to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between anthropometric indices and hypertension. Results: At the time of the survey, HPT prevalence was 146 (55.3%). Out of this, 49 (43%) were from urban and 65 (57.0%) from rural areas. Diagnosed HPT was 49 (30.1%), of which the majority, 32 (65.3%) were from urban and 17 (34.7%) from rural areas. Of the 32 Hypertensives from the urban areas, 20 (62.5%) were uncontrolled. Of the 17 Hypertensives among the rural adults, 12 (70.6%) were uncontrolled. Undiagnosed HPT was 114 (53.0%), with 19 (49.0%) among urban and 65 (56.5%) among rural adult population. Females were 0.29 times less likely to have HPT as compared to males (AOR=0.29, p=0.007]. Thosewith JHS, SHS and tertiary education were 0.48, 0.25 and 0.29 times less likely to have HPT (AOR=0.48, p=0.043), (AOR=0.25, p=0.004) and (AOR=0.29, p=0.031) respectively. Those with a family history of HPT were 2.46 times more likely to have HPT (AOR=2.46, p=0.003). Adults with moderate and high-risk WHR were 2.58 and 2.61 times more likely to have HPT [AOR=2.58, p=0.039] and [AOR=2.61, p=0.032] respectively. There was a positive linear relationship between age and BMI in both urban and rural settings and HPT. Conclusion: The prevalence of HPT is very high among adults in the Keta Municipality.Rural adults are more affected than urban, probably due to higher awareness and control of HPT among the urban population.Creation of awareness on HPT and its management are needed to enhance the prevention and control among rural adults.

Prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In 17 (20.0%) studies, the prevalence of hypertension was based on the measured BP≥ 140/90 mmHg as well as on or a history of previous diagnosis of hypertension by a health professional [ 49 , 50 , 72 , 76 , 80 , 117 ] or on a history of current anti-hypertensive medication [ 43 , 59 , 62 , 68 , 71 – 74 , 87 , 91 , 94 , 98 ]. Six (7.1%) studies, five of them conducted by the same research team, excluded participants with a history of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease or those on anti-hypertensive or cholesterol-lowering medication use [ 54 , 65 , 67 , 69 , 109 , 125 ].…”

“…In the study with the highest prevalence, 38% of the participants had previously been diagnosed with hypertension. In 51 and 50 individual studies respectively, the prevalence ranged from 2.8% [ 90 ] to 58.3% [ 72 ] in men and from 1.0% [ 122 ] to 90.0% [ 60 ] in women.…”

“…However, there were fewer studies in northern belt than in the other geographical belts, perhaps a reflection of factors such as the distribution of health services, distance from capital, tertiary education, interest of health researchers and general socio-economic development in the country. To illustrate the potential contribution of tertiary programmes to hypertension research in Ghana, we note that, the University of Health Allied Sciences in Ho, which started operations in 2012, contributed four (66.7%) of the six publications on the hypertension in the Volta Region where it is located [ 45 , 72 , 83 , 117 ]. A recent meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in Ghana could only obtain estimates for the northern belt based on self-reported diabetes in the nationwide SAGE study included in the 12 studies analyzed [ 11 ].…”

Demographic and Lifestyle Predictors of Prehypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study among Apparently Healthy Adults in Kumasi, Ghana

“…A study by Incoom et al reported a prevalence of 25.4% among adults in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana [21]. Similarly, Atinyi et al, in a study among adults in Keta Municipality of Ghana, reported a prevalence of 27.3% [22]. Another study by Bani et al among traders in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana, reported a prevalence of 33.8% [23].…”

What do we need to know? Data sources to support evidence-based decisions using health technology assessment in Ghana

“…There are several studies exploring the prevalence of NCDs, e.g. hypertension in various Ghanaian populations [74][75][76][77], but, to our knowledge, there are no studies looking at the incidence of NCDs. This would require a large-scale cohort study and it could consider the main NCDs and comorbidities of interest in Ghana, i.e.…”