Local Perceptions And Management Of Diabetes And Hypertension In Shai-Osudoku District Of Ghana

ABSTRACT

The general objective of the study was to analyse people’s perceptions and management of diabetes and hypertension in some rural communities of Ghana. In conducting the research, qualitative method was mainly used to elicit information from the selected communities through semi-structured questionnaire from the selected communities (N340) and twenty (N20) diabetics/hypertensives patients from the diabetics and hypertensive association in the district for in-depth interviews. The study found that majority of the respondents and participants identified the media as the main source of their information about diabetes and hypertension. Further, the study revealed that the majority of the respondents use popular knowledge of tasting their urine and ants gathering around their urine as signs and symptoms of diabetes. The study also found that respondents’ understanding of diabetes and hypertension was mainly base on the local names of these diseases which is strongly tied to their perceived causes. The main challenges and problems of the diabetic and hypertensive include regular medications, change of lifestyle as well as stigmatization. Based on the findings, recommendations have been made to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the district and the country as a whole. It is recommended that Ghana Health Service (Shai-Osudoku district) in collaboration with National Media Commission to regulate all diabetes and hypertension programmes in the media, including advertisements on these diseases to ensure that the right information are given to the general public. Furthermore, it is recommended for the Ministry of Health to intensify its Regenerative Health and Nutrition (RHN) programme that aims to empower communities to adopt healthy lifestyles in Ghana. It is also recommended that, the health promotion efforts by the GHS on behavioural risk factors (smoking, excess consumption of alcohol, etc.) should not be limited to only urban centers but extended to the rural communities.