Key result
Living with 1 to 2 persons was associated with significantly lower odds of hypertension control compared to living with 5 or more persons among Ghanaian men (OR 0.30), an association not observed in women.
Why the study?
Hypertension control is often suboptimal among sub-Saharan African populations, and evidence regarding the role of social support on hypertension control in these populations is limited.
Does increased social support improve hypertension control in Ghanaian migrants and non-migrants?
Cross-Sectional (n=1,327)
Yes
Does increased social support improve hypertension control in Ghanaian migrants and non-migrants?
Odds Ratio: 0.3 (95% CI 0.16–0.57)
Cohabiting with more people is significantly associated with better hypertension control in Ghanaian men, but not women, suggesting that targeted family involvement may improve adherence in men.
May inform family-based strategies for Ghanaian men; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Hypertension (HTN) control is crucial in preventing HTN-related complications such as stroke and coronary heart disease. Yet, HTN control remains suboptimal particularly among sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations partly due to poor self-management. Self-management of HTN is influenced by social support, but the evidence on the role of social support on HTN control particularly among SSA populations is limited. This study assessed the association between multiple proxies for social support and HTN control among Ghanaians resident in Ghana and Europe. The Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study participants with HTN and who self-reported HTN (n = 1327) were included in this analysis. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between proxies of social support and HTN control (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) with adjustments for age and socioeconomic status (SES). Among Ghanaian males in both Europe and Ghana, cohabiting with more than two persons was associated with increased odds of having HTN controlled. Male hypertensive patients cohabiting with ≥ 5 persons had the highest odds of having HTN controlled after adjustment for age and SES (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.16-0.57; 0.60; 0.34-1.04, respectively). This association was not observed among females. Relationship status, frequency of religious activity attendance and satisfaction with social support did not show any significant association with HTN control. Our study shows that cohabitation is significantly associated with HTN control but in males only. The other proxies for social support appeared not to be associated with HTN control. Involving persons living with Ghanaian men with HTN in the treatment process may help to improve adherence to HTN treatment. Further research is needed to explore in-depth, how these social support proxies could contribute to improved HTN control among SSA populations.
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Nyaaba et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=1,327). Living with 1-2 persons vs. Living with ≥5 persons was evaluated on Hypertension control (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.16-0.57). Living with 1 to 2 persons was associated with significantly lower odds of hypertension control compared to living with 5 or more persons among Ghanaian men (OR 0.30), an association not observed in women.
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