Abstract
Background Hypertension remains a rising health threat among developing countries and it is due to poor knowledge and lifestyles. Integrated knowledge and practices are central towards the control of hypertension, especially in the developing world. Objectives This study assessed the practices of adults in a periurban community in the Ho Municipality of the Volta region on the prevention of hypertension. Methodology. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was carried out in a periurban community in the Volta region. Adults were recruited using a systematic sampling technique in the Ahoe community. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect information on sociodemographic, knowledge, and lifestyle practices regarding hypertension prevention. The data were entered into Microsoft excel 2013 spreadsheet, cleaned, and transported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software for analyses. The data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. Results In this study, 49.3% explained that hypertension means the increased force of blood through the blood vessels as 90.8% indicated that taking antihypertensive medications can control hypertension. In describing the associated effects of hypertension, adults in the Ahoe community described the effects of hypertension as stroke (89.8%), heart attack (84.0%), diabetes (56.5%), and heart failure (82.3%). Also, 54.1% described hypertension as a lifelong disease while 55.8% indicated hypertension can be cured. Also, 92.2% identified exercising as an important factor in controlling hypertension as 32.7% use herbal preparations to control hypertension. Only 3.7% of adults in the Ahoe community were smokers and 54.5% smoked less than a year. The majority (61.6%) of the respondents did not drink alcohol as 69.7% engage in active exercises. Conclusion Education on hypertension should be intensified, and emphasis should be laid on regular exercised and strict dietary restrictions that ensure reduction in hypertension risk. Healthcare authorities should engage hypertensive clients to desist from the intake of herbal medications whose actual composition has not been scientifically determined.
Highlights
Introduction e World HealthOrganization (WHO) has estimated that high blood pressure causes one in every eight deaths, making hypertension the third leading killer in the world [1]
Addo et al [4] reported that the high rate of hypertension was associated with low levels of awareness, inadequate drug treatment, and poor blood pressure control. ey further reported that overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for hypertension that can be addressed through lifestyle interventions. ere can be health improvement by integrating hypertension care into primary care in rural health facilities [4]. e level of knowledge demonstrated by persons on their diagnosis may have a useful influence on the treatment, practices, and the lifestyle they adopt
Addo et al [4] demonstrated that 33% of hypertensive patients in Ghana were aware of their diagnosis, 18% were treated, and 4% had adequate blood pressure (BP) control
Summary
Introduction e World HealthOrganization (WHO) has estimated that high blood pressure causes one in every eight deaths, making hypertension the third leading killer in the world [1]. Addo et al [4] reported that the high rate of hypertension was associated with low levels of awareness, inadequate drug treatment, and poor blood pressure control. Addo et al [4] demonstrated that 33% of hypertensive patients in Ghana were aware of their diagnosis, 18% were treated, and 4% had adequate blood pressure (BP) control. Possible explanations for these low numbers may reflect the complex relationship between patients, providers, and economic resources in this part of the world. Is study assessed the practices of adults in a periurban community in the Ho Municipality of the Volta region on the prevention of hypertension. Healthcare authorities should engage hypertensive clients to desist from the intake of herbal medications whose actual composition has not been scientifically determined
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