Exploring the Relationship Between Knowledge of the Risk Factors for Hypertension and Diabetes and the Health Seeking-Behaviour of Bank Workers in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries (LMIC). About 80% of morbidity in LMIC is accounted for by NCDs with majority of these deaths occurring after 60 years of age. In Ghana, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constitute about 41% of non-fatal disease burden and yet there is currently inadequate research into knowledge and behavioural risk factors of NCDs in Ghana. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among staff selected from banking institutions in Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 100 banking institutions in Accra. A convenient sampling technique was used to select staff at banks with large numbers whiles branches with low numbers of staff were all included in the study. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression was carried out to explore effect of knowledge of risk factors of NCDs on weight and BP checking as proxy measures of health seeking behaviour. Outcome variables, weight and BP checking as a measure of health seeking behaviour were dichotomized into weight or BP check within the year (Regular/More Health seeking) and weight or BP check over 1 year (Less Health Seeking). Results: Six hundred and sixty-nine (669) staff returned completed questionnaires. About 50.4% of respondents were males. The mean age of respondents was 31years (SD 5.99) and 55.41% were below 30 years of age. Analysis showed that 51.38%, 57.58%, 60.06%, 51.75%, 53.5% and 61.17% do not think weight, family history of hypertension, smoking and level of alcohol intake, the level of salt and sugar intake can affect the risk of developing hypertension or diabetes respectively. Respondents who did not know that weight could affect their risk of developing hypertension or diabetes were less likely to have had a weight check within a year (OR=0.64, 0.45–0.92, 95% C.I. p=0.02). Females were more likely to have had a weight check within the year (OR=1.57, 1.05-2.21, 95% C.I. p = 0.03), and being single makes a respondent less likely to have done so (OR = 0.59, 0.37-0.95, 95% C.I. p = 0.03). Independent predictors of Weight-checking (as a measure of health seeking behaviour) were knowledge of weight as a risk factor of developing hypertension and diabetes, gender and marital status. Knowing that weight can affect the risk of developing hypertension or diabetes makes a respondent more likely to have had a BP check within the year (OR=0.65, 0.43-0.97, 95% C.I. p=0.03). A respondent with parents or siblings not having high BP was less likely to have had a BP check within the year (OR=0.59, 0.40-0.88, 95% C.I. p=0.01). Being a female makes a respondent more likely to have had a BP check within the year (OR=1.55, 1.06-2.26, 95% C.I. p = 0.02) and being single makes a respondent less likely to have done so (OR=0.39, 0.24-0.64, p < 0.01) as compared to married respondents. Independent predictors of BP-checking (as a measure of health seeking behaviour) were knowledge of weight as a risk factor of developing hypertension and diabetes, parents or siblings having high BP, gender and marital status.