Hypertension and Obesity among a Religious Group in the Akwapim North

District of Ghana, 2012

J. K .L Opare1, 2, C. Ohuabunwo3, E. Afari 1, F. Wurapa2 S. Sackey1

1. School of Public Health, FELTP, UG, Legon2. Ghana Health Service3. Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA

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Introduction

• Hypertension and obesity constitute increasing

public health concern worldwide

• 3-fold increase in proportional morbidity of

hypertension btw 2006 and 2010 in Akwapim

North District (AKND) of Ghana

• 3/1000 people died from hypertension within a 5-

month period among a Religious group in AKND

• Created fear and concern among congregants2

Objectives General To assess the prevalence of HPT and anthropo-

demographic risk factors among congregants of this religious group in AKND

Specific • To determine the prevalence of hypertension and

obesity among the religious group• To describe the pattern of hypertension and obesity

among the age groups• To determine the association between

hypertension and obesity among the group

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Methods 1/2

Study Area:AKND :Eastern part of Ghana• Population 142,068• 450 km2 land area• Urban: rural % - 60:40 • 8 sub-districts• 31 health-facilities•30 clusters• 80% access to health care

4AKND

Methods 2/2 • Recruited 267 congregants in a cross sectional study

• Measured blood pressure (BP) mmHg, body weight

(kg), height (m) and calculated BMI (kg/m²)

• Classified body weight as; normal: BMI< 25kg/m² ,

overweight: BMI≥ 25kg/m², obese: BMI ≥ 30kg/m²

• Defined HPT: SBP ≥140 mmHg and DBP ≥ 90 mmHg

• Determined prevalence of hypertension and obesity

• Any association using Chi square test at 95% CI5

Results 1/3General characteristics of congregants, AKND, 2012

Variable Value

Mean age 50.4 ± 13.4

Sex (female) 90.6% (242)

Mean SBP ±SD 125± 22mm of Hg

Mean DBP±SD 74±14 mm of hg

Prevalence of HPT 25% (69/267)

Prevalence of obesity 29% (79/267)6

Results 2/3

• HPT, 94.0% (65/69) were females• Obese 96% (76/79) were females• Hypertension was more likely among obese

congregants (OR 2.0; 95% C1: 1.07-3.75) compared with normal weights

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Discussion

• HPT prevalence increased across age gradient from young to old adults and more common in females [Agyeman et al, 2005: Frank et al 2010]• Almost 1:4 and 1: 3 of the congregants were

hypertensive and obese respectively• Positive association between obesity and

hypertension[Hsieh et al 2000;Olatunbosun et al 2000 ;Shahbazpour et al 2004

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Conclusion

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Acknowledgements

• The church of Pentecost Mampong District• District Health Directorate• Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital

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