ASSESSING THE ROLE OF SOCIOCULTURAL PRACTICES IN THE CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the cardiovascular diseases which is known to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, and contributes to about 9.4 million deaths annually, where more than eighty percent occur in the developing world. Mortality from hypertension arises from complications due mainly to inadequate control of the raised blood pressure. Blood pressure measurements at health facilities indicate a high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. The main objective of this study was therefore to assess the sociocultural factors that affect the control of hypertension in the Tamale Metropolis. A cross- sectional survey was conducted to collect information from 356 participants visiting the Tamale Teaching Hospital for clinical care. The Chi-square test was used to determine any associations between uncontrolled blood pressure and patient sociodemogrphic factors and sociocultural practices. The logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk associated with these factors in the control of HPT. There were 36.3% of participants who had uncontrolled systolic BP: in all more female, (33.9%) participants had their diastolic pressure uncontrolled. Only thigh circumference was associated with the control of HPT. Intake of fish and alcohol were associated with control of diastolic pressure (P = 0.006 and 0.014). About a third (37.4%) of the respondents had adequate overall knowledge about hypertension but this did not affect the control of HPT; whereas 86.7% knew specifically that taking prescribed medications control HPT. Specific knowledge on effects of alcohol showed an association and was highly predictive of uncontrolled systolic BP (P = 0.025). Most participants spent GHȻ1-50 on a round trip to the health facility, and cost of visit was associated with uncontrolled systolic pressure. Visiting the hospital when the need arose and following prescribed medication as recommended were all associated with the controlled BP, (P = 0.033 and 0.028 respectively). In conclusion, there was an appreciable level of uncontrolled HPT within the Tamale metropolis (36.2%). The consumption of alcohol and eating habits, where less fish was consumed did not favour the control of raised blood pressure. There was less than average level of knowledge about HPT among sufferers, and not knowing specifically that intake of alcohol was not appropriate in hypertensives strongly affected the control of the disease.