Prevalence of Hypertension and Obesity among Women in Reproductive Age in the Ashaiman Municipality in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

Ghana like many other developing countries is faced with a double burden of infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases. It is increasingly being recognised that unhealthy behavioural patterns such as poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption significantly contribute to the development of many chronic non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, obesity, stroke, type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This study sought to determine the prevalence of hypertension and obesity among women in reproductive age (? 20 ? 45); describe the dietary habits of the women; and ascertain how this may contribute to hypertension and obesity among the respondents. A descriptive cross-sectional study using interviewer-administered questionnaires was carried out among 254 women in reproductive age in the Ashiaman municipality. Study participants were selected through systematic sampling. The weight (kg) of the participants was taken using Salter scale and the height was also measured in cm using a stadiometer. Both weight and height measurements were used to calculate participants’ body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) readings were performed using a sphygmomanometer. The results showed that the prevalence rate of hypertension and obesity among the respondents was 20.1% and 9.8% respectively. The daily dietary choices of respondents revealed that all the respondents (254) consumed carbohydrates/fats & oils  food daily with  less than a third of the respondents (80) including vitamins and mineral rich food which are mainly fruits and vegetables into daily diet. The results also indicated that 20.5% women who consumed carbohydrates, fats & oils daily were hypertensive whereas the rest (79.5%) were normotensive. Effective and targeted health education and behaviour change interventions directed towards this segment of the population should be developed and implemented urgently.

Key Words: Hypertension, obesity, prevalence, dietary habit