Abstract:
The relationship between wealth and blood pressure (BP) in developing countries is
unclear and it is important to understand how the socioeconomic environment
influences BP in an African setting. Our objective was to determine the wealth
differences in BP in the Ghanaian population and to clarify whether the
relationship is modified by education level. Data from the 2014 Ghana
Demographic and Health Survey was analyzed. A total of 9396 women and
4388 men were sampled nationwide and interviewed for the survey. Prevalence
of hypertension in the population was low (10.4%). Systolic BP, diastolic BP,
and odds of elevated BP increased with increasing wealth status. A linear trend
was noted. Richest respondents recorded a 2.65 mmHg (95% CI: 1.09, 4.21) and
3.14 mmHg (95% CI: 1.97, 4.31) excess in systolic BP and diastolic BP,
respectively and also, a 151% (AOR ¼ 2.51, 95% CI: 1.80, 3.48) increased odds
of elevated BP compared with the poorest. The wealth trend in BP was strongest
among primary educated respondents (Interaction p ¼ 0.0007). We found
evidence of a consistent increase in elevated BP with increasing wealth status in this African population, a trend that is contrary to what is seen in high income
countries.
