One in three persons in Accra hypertensive

  1. Posted on Wednesday 18 May 2011 - 07:16
    Dolphyne
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    Joseph Appiah-Dolphyne, AfricaNews editor in Accra, Ghana with files from myjoyonline
    One in three persons in Accra, Ghana, above the age of 40 is hypertensive, a report has revealed. At age 65 and above, one in two adults are also said to be hypertensive. The report, put together by the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi revealed a startling increase in the chronic conditions of hypertension and diabetes, especially in the urban areas in the country.
    MarktvrouwenGhana07
    A physician specialist at the hospital Dr. Plunge Rhule attributed the increase to poor lifestyle in the urban areas and has called for urgent action by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    “Hypertension and diabetes are both chronic conditions that are on the increase in Ghana. Currently if you take ten people who are older than 40 in the urban areas, am talking (about) Accra, you will probably find about 35 per cent of that group being hypertensive.

    “…So one in three of adults older than 40 years of age has hypertension. Now if you are to move the age band up to say, 65, you would find that one-in-two ie, 50 percent of people ...65 years and above is hypertensive.

    “The story in terms of trend for diabetes is not different,” he told Joy News.

    Asked what triggered the abnormal increase in the chronic diseases, Dr Rhule said: “it is urbanization which is the main problem. Food eating practices; it has to do with lifestyle thing; less physical activity; consumption of high fat foods with a lot of salt,” he said.

    He warned the situation will become worse in the coming years unless the GHS takes a serious look at non-communicable diseases in the country, charging individuals to re-examine their lifestyles and what they eat.

    The Greater Accra Health Director Irene Agyapong told Joy News people must exercise more and watch their diet.

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