Chronic diseases affect more adults (Back Page)

A STUDY conducted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has indicated that 56 per cent of adults with three or more risk factors suffer from non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
THE risk factors include smoking, alcohol intake, low intake of fruits and vegetables, low activity, overweight or obesity and raised blood pressure.
Non-communicable diseases are mostly chronic diseases, including stroke, diabetes, hypertension and cancers. They are not infectious or communicable.
At a seminar to disseminate the findings of the study, which was on, “Risk Factors for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in the Greater Accra Region”, it also came out that about 37 per cent of adults between 25 and 64 in the region were likely to have hypertension. About 4.5 per cent more also suffer from diabetes.
The study was undertaken by the GHS, in collaboration with the University of Ghana Medical School and the Ghana Statistical Service, in November and December 2006. It had technical and financial support from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Addressing participants, who were mainly health professionals and media practitioners, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, said the study had also shown that risk factors for NCDs were quite common in adults.
He said 11.3 per cent of men and 0.7 per cent of women currently used tobacco, which was a high risk factor of NCDs, especially cancer.
The Programme Manager in charge of the Non-Communicable Diseases Control Programme (NCDCP) of the GHS, Dr William K. Bosu, said the objective of the survey was to determine the magnitude of selected NCDs in the Greater Accra Region, which had some rural communities but was mainly in an urban setting.
He said 2,662 people were interviewed, adding that all the WHO recommended ‘STEPS’ were adopted.
Dr Bosu, who is also the STEPS Country Focal Person in Ghana, stated that an increase in the number of NCDs must be controlled and recommended governance and leadership roles in the fight.
He also touched on early detection, access to appropriate care, improved quality care, integration of the Regenerative Health and Nutrition Programme to the NCDCP, partnership, social support system, work site interventions, among other measures.
The Deputy Director of the GHS, Dr George Amofah, said the issue of NCDs was a major problem in Ghana and needed to be treated with the seriousness it deserved.
The Programme Officer for NCDs at the WHO Office in Accra, Dr Charles Fleischer-Djoleto, said the high rate of NCDs in Ghana could threaten the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).