Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among Ghanaian population in Amsterdam, The Netherlands: the GHAIA study.
BACKGROUND
Migration from sub-Saharan Africa to industrialized countries has increased tremendously over the last few decades, yet very little is known about the health status of sub-Saharan African populations living in industrialized communities. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence, levels of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among the largest sub-Saharan African group (Ghanaians) living in the Netherlands.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of Ghanaian adults aged 18-60 years in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of hypertension was 55%. Of these, about half were aware of their condition, 45% were receiving antihypertensive medication, and 15% were controlled (blood pressure <140/90 mmHg). The prevalence rates of hypertension, awareness, and treatment were similar among males and females. However, males had a lower blood pressure control rate than females. Among all hypertensives, 22% of females had their blood pressure controlled compared with 5.8% in males: adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) 3.94 (95% CI 1.05-14.79). Among those receiving treatment for their hypertension, 48% of females were controlled compared with only 13% of males: APR 4.08 (95% CI 1.20-13.87).


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension is a major problem among this recently migrated sub-Saharan African population. Furthermore, hypertension control rate is very low particularly in males. Urgent measures are needed to halt the increasing prevalence of hypertension and to improve hypertension control among these populations.
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Charles
C
Agyemang
Mary
M
Nicolaou
Linda
L
Boateng
Henriëtte
H
Dijkshoorn
Bert-Jan
BJ
van de Born
Karien
K
Stronks
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001364:Awareness; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents