Prevalence, Detection, Management, and Control of Hypertension in Ashanti, West Africa
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Date
2004-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Heart Association
Abstract
Hypertension and stroke are important threats to the health of adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless,
detection of hypertension is haphazard and stroke prevention targets are currently unattainable. Prevalence, detection,
management, and control of hypertension were assessed in 1013 men (n 385) and women (n 628), both aged 55 [SD
11] years, living in 12 villages in Ashanti, Ghana. Five hundred thirty two lived in semi-urban and 481 in rural villages.
The participants underwent measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) and answered a detailed
questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as BP 140 and/or 90 mm Hg or being on drug therapy. Women were
heavier than men. Participants in semi-urban areas were heavier and had higher BP (129/76 [26/14] versus 121/72
[25/13] mm Hg; P 0.001 for both) than in rural areas. Prevalence of hypertension was 28.7% overall and comparable
in men and women, but higher in semi-urban villages (32.9% [95% CI 28.9 to 37.1] versus 24.1% [20.4 to 28.2]), and
increased with age. Detection rate was lower in men than women (13.9% versus 27.3%; P 0.007). Treatment and
control rates were low in both groups (7.8% and 4.4% versus 13.6% and 1.7%). Detection, treatment, and control rates
were higher in semi-urban (25.7%, 14.3%, and 3.4%) than in rural villages (16.4%, 6.9%, and 1.7%). Hypertension is
common in adults in central Ghana, particularly in urban areas. Detection rates are suboptimal in both men and women,
especially in rural areas. Adequate treatment of high BP is at a very low level. There is an urgent need for preventive
strategies on hypertension control in Ghana. (Hypertension. 2004;43:1017-1022.)
Description
An article published by American Heart Association and is available at DOI: 10.1161/01.HYP.0000126176.03319.d8
Keywords
blacks epidemiology hypertension, detection and control population
Citation
American Heart Association 2004;43:1017-1022.