Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control of Hypertension in Urban Poor Communities in Accra

Raphael B. Awuah, University of Ghana
Ama de-Graft Aikins, University of Ghana

Hypertension is a major public health problem in many sub-Saharan African countries including Ghana. The objective was to assess the prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension in Accra. The study was a cross-sectional study of adults in their reproductive ages (15-49 for women and 15-59 for men). The overall prevalence of hypertension was 28.3%. The prevalence increased with age in both men and women. Among respondents who had hypertension, 7.4% were aware of their condition, 3.9% were on antihypertensive medication while 3.5% of hypertensive respondents on treatment had their blood pressure controlled below 140/90 mmHg. The level of awareness and treatment was lower in men than in women. Among individuals on treatment, the level of control was higher among women compared with men. The very low levels of awareness, treatment and control despite the high prevalence of hypertension should be a matter of concern to stakeholders in the health sector.