Prevalence of hypertension and obesity among women in reproductive age in the Ashaiman Municipality in the Greater Accra region of Ghana

Type Journal Article - Developing Country Studies
Title Prevalence of hypertension and obesity among women in reproductive age in the Ashaiman Municipality in the Greater Accra region of Ghana
Author(s)
Volume 5
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 89-96
URL http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.671.1236
Abstract
Ghana like many other developing countries is faced with a double burden of infectious and chronic noncommunicable
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.

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