Journal of Preventive Medicine & Healthcare Cite this article: Solomon I, Adjuik M, Takramah W, Axame WK, Owusu R, Parbey PA, Takase M, Tarkang E, Kweku M (2017) The Frequency of Hypertension and Pre-hypertension Among Adults in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana. J Prev Med Healthc 1(3): 1010 Abstract Background: Hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is increasingly becoming an important medical and public health issue. This study assessed the frequency of hypertension and pre-hypertension among adults 18 years and above in the Hohoe Municipality. Method: A population-based cross-sectional study involving 350 adults was used. Information was obtained on background characteristics and risk factors of HPT defned as a systolic BP≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP≥ 90 mmHg. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured following standard procedures. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to determine associations between independent variables and hypertension. Results: Of the 350 adults surveyed, the prevalence of hypertension was 39.4% including those on treatment and pre-hypertension was 25.4%. Respondents aged 40-49, 50-59 and 60 years and above were 3.20, 5.68 and 4.88 times more likely to have hypertension as compared to those aged 40 years or less, (AOR=3.20, p=0.002), AOR=5.68, p<0.001) and (AOR=4.88, p<0.001) respectively. Traditionalists were also 9.40 times more likely to have hypertension as compared to Christians [AOR=9.40, P=0.038]. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension was high in the Hohoe Municipality. Four out of 10 adults had hypertension and one out of 4 adults had pre-hypertension. Age and religious affliation were associated with hypertension. There is the need to intensify education and create awareness about hypertension among the adult population. Periodic screening programmes would be required to identify those with hypertension and pre-hypertension for counselling and referral for treatment and management. *Corresponding author Elvis Tarkang, Department of Population and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana Tel: +23-767-763-2064 Email: ebeyang1@yahoo.com Submitted: 16 May 2017 Accepted: 28 July 2017 Published: 22 August 2017 Copyright: © 2017 Solomon et al. OPEN ACCESS Original Research Article The Frequency of Hypertension and Pre-hypertension Among Adults in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana Incoom Solomon 1 , Martin Adjuik 1 , Wisdom Takramah 1 , Wisdom Kudzo Axame 1 , Richard Owusu 1 , Phyllis Atta Parbey 1 , Mohammed Takase 2 , Elvis Tarkang 3* , Margaret Kweku 1 1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana 2 School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Cast, Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana 3 Department of Population and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana INTRODUCTION Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder and an important worldwide public health challenge affecting at least 20% of the adult population in several countries. It is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular mortality accounting for 20-30% of all deaths [1]. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mm Hg. Persons with BP above optimal levels (a systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic BP of ≥ 90mm Hg) are considered as having hypertension [2]. Hypertension is estimated to cause 7.1 million deaths annually, which accounts for 13.0% of the total global deaths and also accounts for 57 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYS) or 3.7% of total DALYS [3]. Hypertension is one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide, killing nearly 9.4 million people every year [4]. It is also the primary risk factor for death responsible for about 1.5 million lives every year in WHO AFRO regions [4]. A study in Ghana indicates that about 19%-48% of Ghanaian adults aged 18 years and above have hypertension and 9% are Keywords • Hypertension • Pre-hypertension • Adult population • Risk factors • Hohoe Municipality • Ghana Abbreviations: WHO-AFRO: World Health Origination African regional offce; BP: Blood Pressure; HBP: High Blood Pressure; HPT: Hypertension; SSA: Sub-Sa- haran Africa; DALYs: Daily Adjusted Life Years; CVD: Cardio Vascular Disease; NCDs: Non-Communicable Diseases; OPD: Out-Patient Department; WHO: World Health Organization; USA: United States of America; UK: United Kingdom; UHAS: University of Health and Allied Sciences; JHS: Junior High School; SHS: Senior High School; SPH: School of Public Health; GHS: Ghana Health Service; ERC: Ethical Review committee; DHIMS: District Health Management Information System; CHPS: Community-based Health Planning and Services; EPI: Expanded Programme on Immunization; HMHD: Hohoe Municipal Health Directorate