Perbedaan Pengetahuan dan Sikap Remaja tentang Infeksi Menular Seksual di SMA/SMK Perkotaan dan Pedesaan

Abstract: Premarital sexual behavior in adolescence is a high risk factor for sexually transmitted infections. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are generally transmitted through sexual contact. Differences in social, cultural, and economic factors were found to affect the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections between different groups in a population. These are likely caused by differences in the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents living in urban and rural areas. This study was aimed to obtain the differences in the level of knowledge and attitudes toward STIs of adolescents in urban and rural area schools. This was a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design conducted on 50 adolescents of urban senior high schools and 50 adolescents of rural senior high schools/vocational high schools. Questionnaires were distributed via email by using Google form. The results showed that adolescents living in urban areas had good knowledge about STIs meanwhile adolescents living in rural areas had fair knowledge. The attitudes about STIs of most adolescents living in urban areas and rural areas were good. In conclusion, adolescents living in urban areas had better knowledge about STIs than those living in rural areas, however, there was no significant difference in attitudes about STI between the two regions. Equal distribution of education in Indonesia is needed in urban as well as in rural areas.Keywords: sexually transmitted infections, adolescents, knowledge, attitudes, urban and rural Abstrak: Perilaku seksual pranikah pada usia remaja merupakan faktor risiko tinggi terhadap infeksi menular seksual (IMS). Infeksi menular seksual merupakan infeksi yang umumnya ditularkan melalui hubungan seksual. Perbedaan faktor sosial, kultural maupun ekonomi dapat memengaruhi insiden dan prevalensi IMS antara kelompok yang berbeda dalam suatu populasi. Hal tersebut kemungkinan besar disebabkan oleh adanya perbedaan pengetahuan dan sikap remaja yang tinggal di wilayah perkotaan dan pedesaan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan tingkat pengetahuan dan sikap remaja terhadap IMS di sekolah wilayah perkotaan dan pedesaan. Jenis penelitian ialah deskriptif dengan desain potong lintang dan kuesioner didistribusikan secara daring menggunakan Google Form. Responden ialah 50 remaja di SMA wilayah perkotaan dan 50 remaja di SMA/SMK wilayah pedesaan. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan bahwa pengetahuan remaja tentang IMS pada siswa SMA perkotaan sebagian besar berada dalam kategori baik sedangkan pada siswa SMA/SMK pedesaan sebagian besar berada dalam kategori cukup. Sikap remaja tentang IMS pada siswa SMA/SMK perkotaan dan pedesaan sebagian besar baik. Simpulan penelitian ini ialah remaja perkotaan memiliki pengetahuan yang lebih baik mengenai IMS dibandingkan remaja di pedesaan namun tidak terdapat perbedaan sikap remaja yang bermakna mengenai IMS antara kedua wilayah. Pemerataan pendidikan di Indonesia dibutuhkan di wilayah perkotaan dan pedesaan.Kata kunci: infeksi menular seksual, remaja, pengetahuan, sikap, perkotaan dan pedesaan

Download Full-text

Pathogenicity and non-opportunistic character of Blastocystis spp.: a hospital-based survey in Central Cameroon

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.10122 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (05) ◽

pp. 373-379 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Stéphanie Jupsa-Mbiandou ◽

Samuel Fosso ◽

Edimo Billé ◽

Tito T Mélachio-Tanekou ◽

Gideon Ajeagah-Aghaindum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Age Groups ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Blastocystis Spp ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Hiv Negative

Introduction: Blastocystis spp. is a protist found in humans. Although usually the most frequent protozoa found in stool samples of both symptomatic and healthy subjects, its pathogenic or rather opportunistic role is yet to be clearly elucidated. To attempt to fill this gap, a cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the frequency of Blastocystis spp. in HIV positive (HIV+) versus HIV negative (HIV-) individuals in four health facilities of the Center Region of Cameroon. Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 283 HIV positive and 245 HIV negative subjects and analyzed using direct diagnostic tests. Results: A total of 46 (8.7%) individuals were found infected with Blastocystis spp., including 6.7% HIV positive and 11.0% HIV negative. This species was more frequent in urban and semi-urban areas than in rural areas, but evenly distributed among genders and age groups as well as among all sectors of activity. The prevalence of Blastocystis spp. (11.3%) was higher in HIV+ patients with a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells / mm3, but no significant difference was found among HIV clinical stages. Likewise prevalence, the mean number of cysts per gram of stool was similar between HIV positive and HIV negative individuals. People infected with Blastocystis spp. showed diverse clinical signs, but only flatulence was significantly more prevalent. The frequencies of these clinical signs were not related to HIV status. Conclusion: No clear relationship links the infection with Blastocystis spp. to HIV, although its presence was associated with digestive disorder, suggesting that this parasite might not be opportunist.

Download Full-text

Primary prevention of sexually transmitted infections in Switzerland: practices of family physicians and their determinants—a national cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032950 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e032950

Author(s):

Hanna Vautrin ◽

Nicolas Senn ◽

Christine Cohidon

Keyword(s):

Primary Prevention ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Sexual Life ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Active Monitoring ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted

ObjectivesTo describe the activities of general practitioners (GPs) pertaining to primary prevention in the field of affective and sexual life, studying the advice they provide as well as their vaccination practices.DesignCross-sectional national survey.Setting/participantsThe study was carried out using the Swiss Primary Care Active Monitoring GPs’ network, a national GP network created in 2012. One hundred and seventy Swiss GPs, from a random sample from professional lists stratified by canton, participated in the present study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevention practices against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) performed by GPs through advice provided as well as their vaccination practices. Predictive factor of these practices through their links with the doctors’ relevant characteristics and their opinions about STI prevention.ResultsApproximately 80% consider prevention in the area of affective and sexual life to be part of their duty and discuss it easily with patients. Most of them spontaneously give advice regarding STIs during a routine consultation. Regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation in adults, almost half of GPs report never doing it, while almost 75% often or always immunise their adult patients against hepatitis B. Higher numbers of consultations per day are associated with vaccinating more adults against HPV (OR 1.13 (1.05 to 1.23)) and against hepatitis A (OR 1.17 (1.05 to 1.31)). Vaccinating children against hepatitis B is associated with practising in rural areas (OR 4.64 (1.20 to 17.98)). GPs practising in the French-speaking region of Switzerland immunise children less against HPV (OR 0.40 (0.20 to 0.80)). Longer consultations are associated with providing advice on affective and sexual life during a first consultation (OR 1.08 (1.01 to 1.14)).ConclusionSwiss GPs are involved in primary prevention against STIs and consider it as their responsibility. Prevention practices are associated with GPs’ favourable opinions on prevention.

Download Full-text

Sexual Autonomy and Self-reported Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Sub-saharan African Women in Sexual Unions

10.21203/rs.3.rs-639480/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Collins Adu ◽

Aliu Mohammed ◽

Eugene Budu ◽

James Boadu Frimpong ◽

Justice Kannor Tetteh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Study Data ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Women ◽

Odds Ratios ◽

Sexual Autonomy ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health challenge worldwide. Despite the importance of sexual autonomy in the prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health disorders such as STIs, there are limited studies on the possible relationship between women’s sexual autonomy and self-reported STIs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study, therefore, examined the association between sexual autonomy and self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA.Methods Data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 31 countries in SSA conducted between 2010 and 2019 were analysed. A total of 234,310 women in sexual unions were included in the study. Data were analysed using binary logistic regression models and the results were presented as crude odds ratios (cORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) at 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The prevalence of self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA was 5.8%. Approximately 83.0% of the women surveyed had sexual autonomy. Women who had no sexual autonomy were less likely to have self-reported STIs (cOR=0.52, CI: 0.46-0.54), compared to those who had sexual autonomy. Additionally, higher odds of self-reported STIs were found among women aged 25-29, compared to those aged 15-19 (aOR= 1.21, CI: 1.09-1.35); those who reside in urban areas, compared to those who reside in rural areas (aOR= 1.51, CI: 1.37-1.66) and those who were cohabiting, compared to those who were married (aOR= 1.65, CI: 1.52-1.79). On the other hand, lower odds of self-reported STIs were found among women who were exposed to newspapers (aOR= 0.89, CI: 0.82-0.95), those whose partners had primary education (aOR= 0.84, CI: 0.78-0.91), those who were not exposed to radio (aOR= 0.84, CI: 0.79-0.89), and working women (aOR= 0.86, CI: 0.80-0.93). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that sexual autonomy is a significant predictor of self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA. Thus, instituting policies and programs that empower women and improve their levels of sexual autonomy may result in increased self-reporting of symptoms associated with STIs which subsequently help in minimising STI-related complications. Also, policies aimed at enhancing women’s sexual autonomy may reduce the burden of STIs in SSA, especially among women in sexual unions.

Download Full-text

Factors associated with low knowledge about sexually transmitted infections in subnormal agglomerate, in the Brazilian Amazon

Primary Health Care Research & Development ◽

10.1017/s1463423621000700 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Glenda Roberta Oliveira Naiff Ferreira ◽

Ingrid Saraiva de Oliveira ◽

Wanne Letícia Santos Freitas ◽

Ana Luisa Brandão de Carvalho Lira ◽

Renata Karina Reis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Urban Area ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Programmatic Factors

Abstract Background: Populations living in subnormal agglomerates in urban areas are more vulnerable to infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In these groups, inadequate knowledge about sexually transmitted infections can further increase the risk of contracting STIs. Aim: We investigated the factors associated with low knowledge about STIs in a peripheral population in the Brazilian Amazon. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Belém, in the Amazon region that has a high percentage of subnormal agglomerates in an urban area and a high incidence of STIs. Random sampling was adopted which resulted in a sample of 320 participants. To assess knowledge about STIs, the self-administered Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire was used. To assess aspects of vulnerability, a questionnaire was constructed which is linked to individual, social, and programmatic factors. The chi-square test, G test, and ordinal regression analyses were all performed. Findings: The sample of this study was composed of 320 participants. The mean age of the participants was 46.09 years. 37.5% (120), 50.6% (162), and 11.9% (38) showed low, medium, and high knowledge, respectively. Multiple analysis revealed that the factors associated with higher chance of having smaller knowledge about sexually transmitted infections were single/separated/divorced/widow(er) marital status (AOR: 1.80, CI: 1.15-2.84, P = 0.01); income equal to or less than one minimum wage (1.98, CI: 1.21-3.17, P = 0.00); equal to or over than 52 years old (AOR: 1.99, CI: 1.25-3.17, P = 0.00); lack of guidance by a health professional (AOR: 1.59, CI: 1.01-2.51, P = 0.04). Our results show that this community suffer from suboptimal levels of knowledge on STIs, which are linked to individual, social, and programmatic factors. Characterising the risk and vulnerabilities factors allows for carrying out appropriate interventions for populations living in subnormal agglomerates in urban area.

Download Full-text

Epidemiology of animal bite in Iran during a 20-year period (1993–2013): a meta-analysis

Tropical Medicine and Health ◽

10.1186/s41182-019-0182-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maliheh Abedi ◽

Amin Doosti-Irani ◽

Fatemeh Jahanbakhsh ◽

Amirhossein Sahebkar

Keyword(s):

Incidence Rate ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Program ◽

Accurate Data ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Efficient Resource ◽

Incident Rate

Abstract Background Rabies is a fatal disease that still kills 2–6 people a year in Iran. A meta-analysis was conducted in order to generate accurate data on animal bite exposure, and to estimate the incidence of animal bite across the country. Materials and methods Major national and international electronic databases were searched using the keywords “animal bite,” rabies, prevalence, incidence, and Iran. Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, and ScienceDirect were used as international databases, and the national databases included Science Information Database, MagIran, and IranDoc. Descriptive cross-sectional studies addressing the incidence of animal bite were selected and screened by two authors, and pre-specified data were extracted. The population of provinces or cities of studies was extracted from the Statistical Centre of Iran. The overall incidence of animal bite in Iran was estimated using a random-effects model with 95% confidence interval (CI). Study quality was assessed using the STROBE recommended checklist. Results A total of 34 studies were selected for the meta-analysis out of 1215 retrieved studies. The number of animal bites in the studies during 1993–2013 was 230,019 cases. The overall estimated incidence rate of animal bite in Iran was 13.20/1000 (95%, CI 12.10, 14.30) and the mean age of people was 26.23 (SD = 5.02) year. The incidence rate of animal bite among males (14.90/1000) was much higher than females (4.55/1000), and was higher in rural areas (17.45/1000) compared with urban areas (4.35/1000). The incident rate was highest among students compared with other reported occupations. The incidence rate of dogs was 10.40/1000 followed by cats, cows, wolves, jackals, and foxes. Domestic animals had a higher incidence rate than stray and wild animals. The incidence rate of animal bite during spring was 4.90/1000; however, the incidence rate in other seasons had no significant difference. In the retrieved studies, the highest incidence rate of animal bite was found in the West Azerbaijan Province (146.83/1000). Conclusion The current study is the first comprehensive analysis of the published animal bite studies in Iran. Accurate data on animal bite incidence may lead to more effective policy-decisions towards more efficient resource allocation to primary health care for reducing rabies case. Such information is a primary and major necessity for rabies control program in the country. Animal bite reduction can significantly minimize the risk of rabies infection, thereby reducing public health costs for the expensive post-exposure treatment.

Download Full-text

Differences Regarding Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual Habits, and Behavior Between University Students of Medical and Nonmedical Professions in Serbia

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.692461 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Slobodan Subotic ◽

Vladimir Vukomanovic ◽

Svetlana Djukic ◽

Svetlana Radevic ◽

Snezana Radovanovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Risky Sexual Behavior ◽

Hpv Infection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Student Groups ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Significant Difference ◽

European Health ◽

And Behavior

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual habits, and behavior among students of medical and nonmedical students in Serbia.Methodology: The cross-sectional study of 1,273 university students of four undergraduate institutions in Serbia, two of medical and two of nonmedical orientation. A standardized questionnaire, prepared in line with the questionnaire of the European health research—the second wave (European Health Interview Survey—EHIS wave 2), according to defined internationally accepted indicators, was used as a survey instrument.Results: Statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between medical and nonmedical student groups was determined for the following parameters: naming four of five STIs (29.1 vs. 13.4%), knowledge about vaccines against some STIs (26.0 vs. 17.0%), relationship between HPV infection and cervical malignancy (48.2 vs. 16.7%) engaged in the sexual relations (87.9 vs. 76.4%), never used a condom (15.2 vs. 10.4%), underwent gynecological or urological examination (66.7 vs. 44.1%), and tested to one of STIs (10.5 vs. 4.9%).Conclusion: Both student groups have limited knowledge on possible consequences that risky sexual behavior has for reproductive health. Promotion of knowledge about STIs, awareness of all complications, and consequences of these infections certainly affect the reduction of risky behavior.

Download Full-text

Knowledge and attitudes on sexually transmitted infections and HIV among undergraduates in the state universities

International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS) ◽

10.11591/ijphs.v9i3.20431 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 155

Author(s):

Upuli Amaranganie Pushpakumari Perera ◽

Chrishantha Abeysena

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

State Universities ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Poor Knowledge ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

This study aimed to describe knowledge and attitudes on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV among undergraduates in state universities of Western province, Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among second and third year undergraduates in 2014. The stratified cluster sampling method was applied to select 1575 undergraduates. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was administered to assess knowledge and attitudes on STI and HIV. The associations of knowledge and attitude categories with selected variables were assessed. Most (42.3%, n=667) of the undergraduates belonged to poor knowledge category, 41% (n=646) satisfactory knowledge on STI. Only 16.6% (n=262) had good overall knowledge on STI. Undergraduates who had studied in bioscience stream (36.7%, n=91) were better knowledge than others (12.6%, n=171) (p<0.001). A majority (62.6%, n=976) of undergraduates had overall good knowledge on HIV, 27.7%, (n=432) satisfactory knowledge and 9.7% (n=151) had poor knowledge. Males who had studied in bioscience stream and those who had studied at non-mixed schools were better knowledge on HIV than the counterparts. A majority (56.5%, n=883) of undergraduates had undesirable attitudes and 43.5% (n=681) had desirable attitudes towards HIV. Males (45.9%, n=294) had more desirable attitudes than females (42%, n=386) (p>0.05). Knowledge on STI was low and HIV was higher. About half of the undergraduates had desirable attitudes towards HIV.

Download Full-text

Oral health in children with hearing and speech impairment in Banjaluka

Stomatoloski glasnik Srbije ◽

10.2298/sgs1303139d ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 139-146

Author(s):

Aleksandra Djeri ◽

Irena Kuzmanovic-Radman ◽

Milkica Grabez ◽

Zorislava Bajic ◽

Alma Prtina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

World Health ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Speech Impairment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Dmft Index

Introduction. Children with hearing impairment do not understand speech without specific instructions and cannot meet daily life requirements. Children with hearing and speech impairment have higher DMFT index and poorer oral hygiene than healthy children of the same age. The aim of this study was to determine oral health status and the prevalence of dental caries in children attending The Center for Education and Rehabilitation of Speech and Hearing in Banjaluka. Material and Methods. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study and it included 66 children of both genders, age 3 to 18 years, with deciduous, mixed and permanent dentition. General information about the respondents, their socioeconomic status, dental hygiene habits and frequency of dental visits were obtained using a questionnaire. Dental examination was performed using a dental mirror, regular and proximal probe on the daylight, in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines. Oral examination included: number of present teeth, presence of caries, restorations, number of extracted teeth. These data was entered in each patient?s dental record. The DMFT index was used for the assessment of dental status. Results. Results showed that the mean DMFT value in the total sample was 7.79. There was no significant difference in the DMFT index between genders (p=0.19). The significant difference was not found between children who live with parents and those who live in foster families (p=0.15). It was observed that the respondents from rural areas had higher DMFT index (8.68) than respondents from urban areas (5.83). The DMFT index increased with age and school age (p<0.001). Examined patients were most affected with dental caries (6.62%) and least affected with extracted teeth (0.38%). It was revealed that 6% of respondents do not brush their teeth, and 25.8% of respondents had never visited dentist. Conclusion. Children with hearing and speech impairment from Banjaluka have low level of oral health. The DMFT index, as one of the most important parameters of oral health in these children was much higher compared to European countries and other countries in the region.

Download Full-text

Food consumption patterns and nutrition transition in South-East Asia

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012004569 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 1637-1643 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Nur Indrawaty Lipoeto ◽

Khor Geok Lin ◽

Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Nutrition Transition ◽

Food Preferences ◽

The Philippines ◽

Purchasing Power ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Purchasing ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Food Patterns

AbstractObjectiveThe present study was done to confirm the relationship between changes in food patterns and nutrition transition in three South-East Asian countries, namely the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study conducted between August 2008 and August 2009 using three methods: interviews, focus group discussions and analyses of government reports.SettingThe study was conducted in rural and urban areas in Manila and Calabanga (Philippines), Selangor and Kuala Selangor (Malaysia), and Padang, Pariaman Tanah Datar and Limapuluh Kota (West Sumatra, Indonesia).SubjectsAdults aged 18 to 77 years.ResultsThe results showed that Filipinos, Malaysians and Indonesians have retained many aspects of their traditional diets. In fact, most participants in the study considered Western-style and franchise fast foods as snack or recreational foods to be consumed once in a while only. However, a significant difference was noted between urban and rural areas in food varieties consumed. Participants in urban areas consumed more varieties of traditional foods owing to their availability and the participants’ food purchasing power. Although traditional food patterns were maintained by most of the participants, more sugar and vegetable oils were consumed and added to the traditional recipes.ConclusionsThe rapid nutrition transition in this region may be due, instead, to increasing food availability and food purchasing power, rather than to a shift in food preferences towards modern Western foods.

Download Full-text

Determinants of change in blood pressure in Ghana: Longitudinal data from WHO-SAGE Waves 1–3

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244807 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244807

Author(s):

Elias K. Menyanu ◽

Barbara Corso ◽

Nadia Minicuci ◽

Ilaria Rocco ◽

Joanna C. Russell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

World Health ◽

Adult Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Middle Income ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Survey Instruments

The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, however statistics are generally derived from cross sectional surveys that utilize different methodologies and population samples. We investigated blood pressure (BP) changes over 11–12 years in a large cohort of adults aged 50 years and older (n = 820) included in the World Health Organization’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (WHO-SAGE Ghana) Wave 1 (2007/8) with follow up in Wave 3 (2019). Participants’ BP were measured in triplicate and a survey completed at both time points. Survey instruments collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, health behaviors and chronic conditions. While no significant difference was found in systolic BP between Waves 1 and 3, diastolic BP decreased by 9.7mmHg (mean = 88.6, 15.4 to 78.9, 13.6 respectively) and pulse pressure increased by 9.5mmHg (44.8, 13.7 to 54.3, 14.1). Awareness of hypertension increased by 37%, from (20% to 57%), but no differences were found for the proportion of hypertensives receiving treatment nor those that had controlled BP. Mixed effects modelling showed a decrease in diastolic BP was associated with increasing age, living in rural areas and having health insurance. Factors associated with an increased awareness of hypertension were residing in urban areas, having health insurance and increasing body mass index. While diagnosis of hypertension has improved over time in Ghana, there is an ongoing need to improve its treatment in older adults.

Download Full-text