1. Hypertension and Obesity among a Religious Group in the Akwapim North District of Ghana, 2012 J. K.L Opare 1, 2, C. Ohuabunwo 3, E. Afari 1, F. Wurapa 2 S. Sackey 1 1. School of Public Health, FELTP, UG, Legon 2. Ghana Health Service 3. Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 1

2. Introduction Hypertension and obesity constitute increasing public health concern worldwide 3-fold increase in proportional morbidity of hypertension btw 2006 and 2010 in Akwapim North District (AKND) of Ghana 3/1000 people died from hypertension within a 5- month period among a Religious group in AKND Created fear and concern among congregants 2

3. Objectives General To assess the prevalence of HPT and anthropo- demographic risk factors among congregants of this religious group in AKND Specific To determine the prevalence of hypertension and obesity among the religious group To describe the pattern of hypertension and obesity among the age groups To determine the association between hypertension and obesity among the group 3

4. Methods 1/2 Study Area: AKND :Eastern part of Ghana Population 142,068 450 km 2 land area Urban: rural % - 60:40 8 sub-districts 31 health-facilities 30 clusters 80% access to health care 4 AKND

5. Methods 2/2 Recruited 267 congregants in a cross sectional study Measured blood pressure (BP) mmHg, body weight (kg), height (m) and calculated BMI (kg/m²) Classified body weight as; normal: BMI< 25kg/m², overweight: BMI≥ 25kg/m², obese: BMI ≥ 30kg/m² Defined HPT: SBP ≥140 mmHg and DBP ≥ 90 mmHg Determined prevalence of hypertension and obesity Any association using Chi square test at 95% CI 5

6. Results 1/3 General characteristics of congregants, AKND, 2012 VariableValue Mean age50.4 ± 13.4 Sex (female)90.6% (242) Mean SBP ±SD125± 22mm of Hg Mean DBP±SD74±14 mm of hg Prevalence of HPT25% (69/267) Prevalence of obesity29% (79/267) 6

7. Results 2/3 HPT, 94.0% (65/69) were females Obese 96% (76/79) were females Hypertension was more likely among obese congregants (OR 2.0; 95% C1: 1.07-3.75) compared with normal weights 7

8. 8

9. Discussion HPT prevalence increased across age gradient from young to old adults and more common in females [Agyeman et al, 2005: Frank et al 2010] Almost 1:4 and 1: 3 of the congregants were hypertensive and obese respectively Positive association between obesity and hypertension[Hsieh et al 2000;Olatunbosun et al 2000 ;Shahbazpour et al 2004 9

10. Conclusion Hypertension is common and associated with obesity in this religious population All hypertensive congregants were counseled given anti-hypertensive medications Referred to the district hospital for follow up 10

11. Acknowledgements The church of Pentecost Mampong District District Health Directorate Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital 11