Chronic diseases have become the leading cause of death and illness in sub-Saharan Africa
particularly in countries where they coexist with infectious and parasitic diseases. This study analyzed
the varying types and patterns of chronic diseases among the aged in Ghana using a facility based data
for 2004 and 2009 years’ records. In all, 1333 patient folders were extracted and used for the study. A
descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study.
The study revealed that Hypertensive heart disease was the major heart-related chronic
diseases reported in 2004 and 2009 while diabetes topped the list of all reported non-heart related
chronic diseases. Females reported chronic diseases than males in both years. But reported cases for
diabetes were prevalent among males in 2009. The study recommends that much priority should be
given to chronic diseases in Ghana (in particular hypertensive heart disease) since it poses significant
public health burden among the aged population.