Prehypertension in the Ashanti region of Ghana, West Africa: an opportunity for early prevention of clinical hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To assess prehypertension among Ghanaian adults in the Ashanti region of Ghana, West Africa.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
There were 1431 participants aged 18 years or more. Prehypertension was defined as blood pressure of 120-139/80-89 mmHg.


METHODS
Prehypertension.


RESULTS
Overall, 31% of the study population were normotensive, 40% were prehypertensive and 29% were hypertensive. Prehypertension was more common in non-hypertensive males than non-hypertensive females (66% vs 49%, P<0.001). Prehypertension was also more common in those aged 35 years compared with those aged <35 years (P<0.001), and in overweight and obese people compared with people of normal weight (P=0.03). In a multivariate logistic regression model, male sex [odds ratio (OR) 2.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.77-3.15; P<0.001], age 35-49 years (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.12-2.18; P<0.01) and 50 years (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.33-3.42; P=0.002)], overweight (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.09-2.36; P=0.02) and obesity (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.40-5.24; P=0.003) were independently associated with higher odds of prehypertension, whilst current smoking (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16-0.81; P=0.01) was associated with lower odds of prehypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
Prehypertension is very common among non-hypertensive subjects in the Ashanti region of Ghana. As a large proportion of people with prehypertension will progress to clinical hypertension, targeting these people early with lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction may provide important long-term benefits.
Agyemang
Charles
C
Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. c.o.agyemang@amc.uva.nl
Owusu-Dabo
Ellis
E
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors