Department of Medical Biochemistry

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The changing patterns of hypertension in Ghana: A study of four rural communities in the Ga District
(Ethnicity & Disease, 2006-09) Addo, J.; Amoah, A.G.; Koram, K.A.
Objective: To determine the prevalence, distribution and risk factors of hypertension among rural residents in Ghana. Design and Setting: Cross sectional study in four rural communities in the Ga District of Ghana. Subjects and Methods: All adults aged $18 years in four rural communities were asked to participate. The average of two blood pressure readings taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer after 10 minutes of rest was used in the analysis. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg. Results: 362 subjects with a mean age of 42.4 ± 18.6 years participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension was 25.4%. Of those with hypertension, only 32.3% (n=30) had prior knowledge of their condition, and less than half of these (n=12) were on treatment. Of those on treatment 16.7% were well controlled (blood pressure ≤140/90 mm Hg). The adjusted odds ratios for developing hypertension for overweight or obesity were 5.8 (95% confidence interval 1.4-24.3) and 6.9 (95% confidence interval 1.7-28.2), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for hypertension for age groups 45-54, 55-64, and ≥65 years were 31.9 (95% confidence interval 1.88-539.11), 31.8 (95% confidence interval 1.6-624.2), and 58.8 (95% confidence interval 2.9-1168.7), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for hypertension with respect to smoking, alcohol consumption, job-related physical activity, family history, education, occupation, and diabetes status did not attain statistical significance. Conclusion: Hypertension is now of public health significance in rural Ga District of Ghana. The high rate of hypertension was associated with low levels of awareness, drug treatment, and blood pressure control. Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for hypertension that can be addressed through lifestyle interventions. Additionally, integrating hypertension care into primary care in rural health facilities may prove beneficial.
Endemic goitre and urinary iodine levels in rural communities in the Bolgatanga and Builsa districts of the upper east region of Ghana
(East African Journal of Medicine, 1998-09) Asibey-Berko, E.; Amoah, A.G.; Addo, F.; Agyepong, E.
Objective: To ascertain the severity of IDD in some rural communities in upper east of Ghana and to urge the establishment of intervention and control measres for IDD. Subjects and study design: A total of 1061 subjects, made up of about an equal number of children (8-14 years) and women of childbearing age (15-45 years) from seven Sekoti villages and five Builsa villages of the upper east of Ghana were examined for goitre by the palpation method. In addition, every tenth subject examined, provided urine for urinary iodine determination. Results: 68.8% of the subjects had goitre; 9.9% had visible goitre. The goitre rates of the children from Builsa (77.2%) were significantly higher than those from Sekoti (59.1%) [z=4.5; p<0.001]. The overall prevalence of goitre and visible goire in women in the two areas were 70.8% and 15.4% respectively. The women of Sekoti had more goitres (76.6%) but less visible goitres (8.8%) than those of Builsa (63.5% and 21.9%) [p<0.001). The median urinary iodine level for the two survey areas was 1.6 μg/dl. 72% of subjects and urinary iodine less 2 μg/dl/ 24% had urinary iodine levels in the range 2-5 μg/dl and the remainder had urine iodine in the range 5-10 μg/dl. Conclusions: These findings indicate severe IDD in Sekoti and Builsa areas requiring urgent action. Further studies are indicated to determine the cause(s) of the IDD endemia.