title: The burden and correlates of hypertension in rural Ghana: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), of which hypertension is a major risk factor, are predicted to account for four times as many deaths as from communicable diseases by the year 2020. Hypertension, once rare, is rapidly becoming a major public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, data on its prevalence, awareness, treatment and control are paltry, especially for rural communities. This study was done to determine the burden and correlates of adult hypertension in the rural Barekese sub-district of Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 425 adults aged ≥ 35 in the Barekese sub district (estimated population 18,510). Socio-demographic characteristics, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were collected using standardized protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the proportion of hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension is 44.7% and 32.7% respectively in the study population. However, 64.9% of these were on treatment, with only 8.9% having controlled blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg). The mean systolic and diastolic BP were 134.38 mmHg (standard deviation, SD: 21.46) and 84.32 mmHg (SD: 12.44). Obesity (Body Mass Index, BMI>30 kg/m²) was found in 37 (10.4% of the population), out of whom 7 (15.9%) were extremely obese (BMI> 40 kg/m²). Increasing age and level of education were positively correlated with increasing blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high burden of hypertension in this population along with the considerable less detection, treatment and control is of great concern. There is the need to promote health education measures that will foster prevention and early detection of hypertension.
authors: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box 1934, Kumasi, Ghana. williams_ato@yahoo.com
authors: Emmanuel Ato
authors: EA
authors: Williams
authors: Kendra Elizabeth
authors: KE
authors: Keenan
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Ansong
authors: Laura Marie
authors: LM
authors: Simpson
authors: Isaac
authors: I
authors: Boakye
authors: Joseph Marfo
authors: JM
authors: Boaheng
authors: Dominic
authors: D
authors: Awuah
authors: Clara Appiagyei
authors: CA
authors: Nkyi
authors: Isaac
authors: I
authors: Nyannor
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Arhin
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Alder
authors: Lowell Scott
authors: LS
authors: Benson
authors: Ty Triston
authors: TT
authors: Dickerson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012424:Rural Population
keywords: Africa; Burden; Correlates; Hypertension; Rural