Preventive Practices for Hypertension among Workers at Cocoa Processing Company Limited, Tema

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and contributes to mortality in Africa. Hypertension among different populations such as young adults, adults, older adults and persons living with hypertension has been studied. This study aimed to examine the preventive practices towards hypertension among workers of the Cocoa Processing Company in Tema, Ghana. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design to examine preventive practices for hypertension among population of 485 manufacturing factory workers of the Cocoa Processing Company in Ghana. The stratified sampling method was adopted to select a sample size of 219 workers, comprising production, management, contract, and third-party staff. A structured questionnaire and an online Google questionnaire were used to gather data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. The results of the study indicated that workers enjoy healthy diet that correlated with hypertension prevention practices with (p = 008). Workers engage in moderate exercise which correlate with hypertension prevention practices (p = 0.022). while barrier to hypertension prevention practices correlated with disturbed sleep (p = 0.003), prolong standing for more than 4 hours. In addition, attitudes toward hypertension prevention practices among workers correlated with excessive weight loss (p = 0.018). Workers’ health promotion behaviours were correlated with working with everyone at the workplace (p = 0.002) and receiving support from colleagues (p = 0.004). Therefore, health education should be provided to workers regarding the risks and complications of hypertension.