Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Hypertension among Adults in the Nandom District of the Upper West Region of Ghana

Abstract

Hypertension as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease has proven its importance as a worldwide public health challenge because of its frequency and the associated complications and for its position as a leading risk factor for mortality. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Nandom District of the Upper West Region with the objective of contributing to the knowledge base on the burden of hypertension in the Nandom District and hence foster early diagnosis and management of hypertension. The study also sought to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among adults in the District and assess risk factors of hypertension as well as assess the attitude and perceptions towards hypertension. The study was conducted among adult residents 20 years of age and above in the Nandom District. A proportion to size sampling procedure was used to select 383 adults from 6 communities in the District. Blood pressure and other anthropometric measurements were done with recommended tools. Questionnaires were also used to assess respondents’ knowledge, awareness and risk factors for hypertension. In-depth interviews were also conducted to assess attitude and perception towards hypertension. Data was collected electronically using Kobocollect data collection software and was analysed using Stata version 14 and Microsoft Excel 2016. Chi-square tests were done for associations between hypertension and other identified risk factors including BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, family history, age and sex. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for risk factors associated with hypertension. The study revealed a hypertension prevalence of 38.8% with prevalence being higher among males. Additionally, prevalence of hypertension was observed to be increasing with age. Alcohol consumption was found to be associated with hypertension; persons who consume alcohol were found to be 1.17 times more likely to develop hypertension than persons who did not consume alcohol (p-value=0.011). Also, alcohol consumption was found to be highest among persons in the younger age group of 20-29years. Knowledge on hypertension risk factors, complications and lifestyle were found to be quite high among respondents with each category scoring above 60%. Knowledge on the mode of diagnosis and treatability of hypertension was found to be very low, with each subject area scoring less than 20%. Hypertension awareness was found to be low among respondents. with about 38% of all respondents who were hypertensive being aware of their status, and about 41% of those aware were on treatment. Prevalence of hypertension was found to be as high as those found in urban communities. Even though the majority of respondents had ever heard of hypertension, knowledge on some areas of hypertension was found to be low. There exists an opportunity for public health education on hypertension and on the importance of adherence to treatment.