Perceived Risk of Developing Hypertension in Urban Poor Communities in Accra, Ghana

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

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality in Ghana. However, perceived risk of hypertension has not been fully assessed. A cross sectional study of adults in their reproductive ages was conducted in three urban poor communities in Accra. Risk perceptions were categorized as no risk and some risk (low or high). Respondents also had blood pressure (BP) measurements taken. About 60% of respondents perceived they had no risk of developing hypertension.The overall prevalence of hypertension in the analytic sample was 21.2%. More than half of the respondents who indicated they had no risk of developing hypertension were actually hypertensive per their BP readings. More males than females were in this category. The regression model indicated that occasional and regular alcohol consumption and being obese predicted risk perceptions (p<0.05). There should be health mechanisms in place to detect hypertension early in these communities.