SPATIAL MODELING OF HYPERTENSION DISEASE IN THE KUMASI METROPOLITAN AREA OF GHANA

Abstract

Hypertension is a major health burden worldwide. In Ghana, the Health Service reports that since 2008, hypertension continuous to be the third most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the Ashanti region with the Kumasi Metropolitan Area leading the pack of endemic areas. The aim of this paper was to examine the spatial distribution of the disease in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area using patients’ medical records. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the research revealed that the disease was more profound in low-income suburbs of the metropolis than the high income communities. Again, the research further revealed that prevalence was high among females than males. Lastly, the high incidence of Hypertension was due to sedentary life style due mainly to the higher rate of urbanization. The research concludes that Hypertension is gradually emerging as a leading cause of death in the metropolis and therefore more efforts and resources should be made available to help manage the disease situation.