Abstract:
Hypertension, once a rare problem in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), is predicted to be a major cause of death by 2020 with mortality
rates as high as 75%. However, comprehensive knowledge of provider-level factors that influence optimal management is limited.
The objective of the current study was to discover physicians’ perceptions of factors influencing optimal management and control
of hypertension in SSA. Twelve physicians attending the Cardiovascular Research Training (CaRT) Institute at the University of
Ghana, College of Health Sciences, were invited to complete a concept mapping process that included brainstorming the factors
influencing optimal management and control of hypertension in patients, sorting and organizing the factors into similar domains,
and rating the importance and feasibility of efforts to address these factors.Thehighest ranked important and feasible factors include
helping patients accept their condition and availability of adequate equipment to enable the provision of needed care.The findings
suggest that patient self-efficacy and support, physician-related factors, policy factors, and economic factors are important aspects
that must be addressed to achieve optimal hypertension management. Given the work demands identified by physicians, future
research should investigate cost-effective strategies of shifting physician responsibilities to well-trained no-physician clinicians in
order to improve hypertension management.
