People in Accra Found to Have High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Obesity

High Prevalence of High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Obesity Uncovered in Ga Mashie, Accra.

A comprehensive study focusing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Ga Mashie area of Accra has unveiled a concerning health landscape, with 60% of residents battling hypertension, diabetes, or obesity.

The Contextual Awareness Response and Evaluation; Diabetes in Ghana (CARE Diabetes) project team, in collaboration with esteemed institutions including the University of Ghana and Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and funded by MRC UK Research and Innovation, spearheaded this pivotal research.

With diabetes prevalence pegged at 8.2% and a significant 19% increase in hypertension cases over the past decade, the study paints a grim picture of the community’s health challenges.

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Furthermore, individuals with diabetes were found to experience a notably lower quality of life, highlighting the profound impact of NCDs on daily living.

Aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of diabetes within Ga Mashie and exploring viable community-based interventions, the study randomly sampled adults over 25 from 80 enumeration areas, as defined in the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census.

At a recent dissemination meeting in Accra, co-investigators Dr. Raphael Awuah and Dr. Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor shared that despite a relatively high awareness of diabetes causes, several misconceptions persist.

Alarmingly, the study revealed that individuals with diabetes spend 85% of their meager income, often less than GHc600, on disease management.

This financial burden is exacerbated by the low health insurance coverage within the community, forcing many to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare services.

The research also uncovered a striking abundance of unhealthy food options in the area, which inevitably influences dietary choices among residents.

Dr. Awuah, in conversation with the Daily Graphic, termed the findings “scary,” emphasizing the dual threat of communicable diseases and NCDs facing the community.

In response to these daunting challenges, the CARE Diabetes project plans to launch a pilot intervention program, notably aiming to increase NHIS subscription among Ga Mashie residents.

Professor Kwadwo Koram, a co-investigator, highlighted the escalating problem of diabetes not only in Ghana but globally, with prevalence rates nearing 10% in certain regions.

Professor Ed Fottrell, another co-investigator, stressed the urgent need for an effective response to NCDs, advocating for community-designed health interventions.

Meanwhile, local official Festus Nii Ayi Hayford called for enhanced health insurance education and addressed concerns regarding access to healthcare services through the NHIS.

This study not only sheds light on the acute health issues in Accra but also underscores the need for concerted efforts to tackle the rising tide of NCDs in urban poor communities across Ghana.

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