Self-reported hypertension as a predictor of chronic health conditions among older adults in Ghana: analysis of the WHO Study on global Ageing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 2

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension has been identified as a significant predictor of many chronic health conditions. Body Mass Index and Quality of life are key determinants of hypertension especially among elderly populations. In this study, we examined the effect of self-reported hypertension on chronic health conditions and quality of life among older adults in Ghana. METHODS: the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health Wave 2 data for Ghana, collected from 2014 to 2015 was applied in this study. Data for the older adults aged 50 years and above were analyzed. Weighted descriptive and inferential analysis were performed using Stata 14. We predicted any potential associations between self-reported hypertension and chronic health conditions using a corrected chi-square and Coarsened Exact Matching with adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: the prevalence of self-reported hypertension among older adults in Ghana was 15.8%. This was significantly associated with sex, marital status, religion, place of residence, working status, location/region, health status BMI, and quality of life (QOL). In all, older adults with poor health status, obese state and high QOL had 3.15, 2.17 and 2.76 odds of self-reported hypertension respectively [AOR(95%CI)p-value=3.15(1.65-6.02)0.001, 2.17(1.31-3.59)0.003 and 2.76(1.04-7.31)0.041)]. In addition, older adults with self-reported hypertension were at increased risk of reporting chronic conditions such as stroke, angina, diabetes and cataract. CONCLUSION: overall, a key observation from this analysis is that SRH (and not only clinically diagnosed hypertension) is significantly associated with co-morbidities. In Ghana, older adults with self-reported hypertension have increased risk of co-morbidities including diabetes, stroke, angina, and cataract. Interventions to improve the awareness and early detection of hypertension at the population level is key. Controlling hypertension at the population level will garner reduction in prevalence of chronic conditions and increased protection.

Keywords

• older adults
• self-reported hypertension
• chronic conditions