Modifiable Behavioural Risk Factors Associated with High Blood Pressure among Women Aged 18 Years and Above in the Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background Hypertension is a leading preventable cause of morbidity and premature mortality globally, with a disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries including Ghana. Modifiable behavioural risk factors such as physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, unhealthy dietary practices, and tobacco use are central to the aetiology and prevention of hypertension, yet locally grounded evidence on their prevalence and distribution among women in district settings such as the Kintampo North Municipality remains sparse. The study assessed the modifiable behavioural risk factors associated with high blood pressure among women aged 18 years and above in the Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana.
Methods
A descriptive, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 women aged 18 years and above selected through purposive and convenience sampling across the Kintampo North Municipality. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire covering physical activity, alcohol consumption, dietary practices, and tobacco use. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel; findings are presented as frequencies and proportions in tables and figures.
Results
The majority of respondents (90.87%) reported engaging in some form of physical activity, predominantly farming, walking, and household chores; however, only a minority met the recommended intensity and duration thresholds. Alcohol consumption was low, with only 11.94% of respondents reporting current use, mostly at occasional rather than daily frequency. Tobacco use was similarly low (3.04% current users), with chewing tobacco and snuff more prevalent than cigarette smoking. Dietary practices emerged as the most significant concern: 96.96% consumed salt, 75.18% sometimes added extra salt after cooking, 83.52% consumed fried or processed foods regularly, and only 24.12% consumed fruits daily. Despite 82.44% believing diet affects blood pressure, only 52.69% knew that high salt intake specifically elevates it, and 41.22% had never received dietary advice from a health worker.
Conclusion
Although alcohol consumption and tobacco use are relatively low among women in the Kintampo North Municipality, unhealthy dietary practices, particularly excessive salt and processed food intake combined with insufficient daily fruit and vegetable consumption constitute the most prevalent and urgent modifiable risk profile for hypertension in this population. Targeted community health education on dietary risk, routine blood pressure screening, and integration of nutrition counselling into primary care contacts are urgently recommended.

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