Patient-level factors influencing hypertension control in adults in Accra, Ghana

Background : Effective control of blood pressure is necessary to avert the risk of cardiovascular diseases from uncontrolled hypertension. Despite evidence on the benefits of hypertension control, rates of control in Ghana remain low. This study assessed the patient-level factors that influence hypertension control among adults in Accra, Ghana. Methods: A total of 360 hypertensive patients from two hospitals in Accra, Ghana were enrolled in the study. Client socio-demographic characteristics were tabulated and associations between client characteristics and hypertension control were estimated using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: The client’s sex [AOR=3.53 (95% CI:1.73-7.25], educational at junior high school [AOR=3.05(95% CI 1.40-6.67)], senior high school [AOR=2.67 (95% CI 1.05-6.76)] and presence of a comorbidity [AOR=2.41 (95% CI 1.32; 4.42)] predicted BP control among clients. An increased pill burden, however, was associated with reduced BP control [AOR=0.32(95% CI: 0.18-0.56)]. The majority of patients reported forgetfulness, side effects of medication and high pill burden as reasons for missing their medications. Conclusion: Knowledge of hypertension among patients is low. Sex, formal education and the presence of comorbidity and more specifically dyslipidaemia influences blood pressure control. A high pill burden negatively affects the attainment of blood pressure control.