Evaluating a Community Health Worker-Led Hypertension Programme on Blood Pressure Control in Peri-Urban Ibadan, Ghana: A Community-Based Study

Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, with control rates remaining low in peri-urban settings. While community health workers (CHWs) are proposed to improve access to care, robust evidence for their effectiveness in managing hypertension within Ghana is limited. This study evaluated the effect of a structured, CHW-led hypertension management programme on blood pressure control among adults in peri-urban communities of Ibadan, Ghana. A community-based, quasi-experimental study was conducted with adults diagnosed with hypertension. The intervention group received regular home visits, monitoring, health education, and adherence support from trained CHWs over a six-month period. The control group received standard clinic-based care. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants achieving controlled blood pressure (defined as <140/90 mmHg). Data were analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. The proportion of participants with controlled blood pressure was significantly higher in the intervention group (68.4%) than in the control group (41.2%) at the study endpoint (p<0.001). Adjusted analysis confirmed the intervention was independently associated with improved blood pressure control. A structured CHW-led hypertension programme significantly improved blood pressure control in a peri-urban Ghanaian setting, demonstrating feasibility as a strategy to augment primary healthcare for chronic disease management. Health policymakers should consider integrating and scaling up structured CHW-led hypertension management within primary healthcare systems in similar resource-constrained contexts. Sustainable financing and continuous training for CHWs are essential for programme success. hypertension, community health workers, blood pressure control, Ghana, community-based intervention, non-communicable diseases This study provides original evidence on the effectiveness of a structured CHW programme for hypertension control in a Ghanaian peri-urban context.