Gender Differences in the Association Between Marital Status and Hypertension in Ghana

Abstract

SummaryHypertension is a significant contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular and related target organ diseases such as heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, and their associated premature morbidity, mortality and disability. Marital status is an important social characteristic known to predict a range of health outcomes including cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about its impact on hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored the relationship between marital status and hypertension among women and men in Ghana. Drawing on data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the link between marital status and hypertension. About 13% of women aged 15-49 and 15% of men aged 15-59 were found to be hypertensive. After controlling for lifestyle and socio-demographic covariates, the logistic regression models showed significantly higher odds of hypertension for married (OR=2.14, 95% CI=1.30-3.53), cohabiting (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.16-3.23) and previously married (OR=2.23, 95% CI=1.29-3.84) women. In contrast, no significant association was found between any of the marital status cohorts and hypertension for men. Other significant predictors of hypertension were age, body mass index and wealth status. The results demonstrate that marital status is an independent risk factor for hypertension in Ghana for women, rather than men. This could have immediate and far-reaching consequences for cardiovascular health policy in Ghana. In particular, the findings could lead to better targeted public health interventions, including more effective risk factor assessment and patient education in clinical settings, which could lead to more effective patient management and improved cardiovascular outcomes.

Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Level Among Visitors of Shar Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah City

“…Our study result shows that most cases are from urban areas, which are going with (17) also concluded that Hypertension is more common among urban residencies. The highest rate of hypertension cases was married, according to our study, but it is contrary to (18) results found that most hypertension cases were previously married.…”

Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Level Among Visitors of Shar Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah City

“…Our study result shows that most cases are from urban areas, which are going with (17) also concluded that Hypertension is more common among urban residencies. The highest rate of hypertension cases was married, according to our study, but it is contrary to (18) results found that most hypertension cases were previously married.…”

Sex and Gender Influence on Cardiovascular Health in Sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from Ghana, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, and Botswana

“…In general, men derive more health benefits from marriage than women [ 23 ]. Our results are in contrast to a study conducted in Ghana that reported significantly higher odds of hypertension among women who were married while no association was found in men [ 24 ]. Marital status was found to be an independent risk factor for CVD in different SSA countries for both women and men [ 24 25 ].…”

“…Our results are in contrast to a study conducted in Ghana that reported significantly higher odds of hypertension among women who were married while no association was found in men [ 24 ]. Marital status was found to be an independent risk factor for CVD in different SSA countries for both women and men [ 24 25 ]. Country-specific targeted public health interventions and policies, including more effective risk factor assessment and awareness programs in community settings, keeping in mind the impact of marital status, should be considered in attempting to improve CVH.…”

Factors influencing the progression from prehypertension to hypertension among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a 2-year longitudinal study

“…Among women, married or cohabiting individuals had a higher risk for conversion to hypertension, which is consistent with the results of studies in Ghana and India [ 49 , 50 ]. One social causation hypothesis argues that an individual’s marital status determines one’s exposure to their social and economic conditions that influence health outcomes [ 49 , 51 ]. Previous research results show that domestic stressors have a greater effect on ambulatory BP in women than in men [ 52 ].…”

Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Level Among Visitors of Shar Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah City

“…Our study result shows that most cases are from urban areas, which are going with (17) also concluded that Hypertension is more common among urban residencies. The highest rate of hypertension cases was married, according to our study, but it is contrary to (18) results found that most hypertension cases were previously married.…”

Sex and Gender Influence on Cardiovascular Health in Sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from Ghana, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, and Botswana

“…In general, men derive more health benefits from marriage than women [ 23 ]. Our results are in contrast to a study conducted in Ghana that reported significantly higher odds of hypertension among women who were married while no association was found in men [ 24 ]. Marital status was found to be an independent risk factor for CVD in different SSA countries for both women and men [ 24 25 ].…”

“…Our results are in contrast to a study conducted in Ghana that reported significantly higher odds of hypertension among women who were married while no association was found in men [ 24 ]. Marital status was found to be an independent risk factor for CVD in different SSA countries for both women and men [ 24 25 ]. Country-specific targeted public health interventions and policies, including more effective risk factor assessment and awareness programs in community settings, keeping in mind the impact of marital status, should be considered in attempting to improve CVH.…”

Factors influencing the progression from prehypertension to hypertension among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a 2-year longitudinal study

“…Among women, married or cohabiting individuals had a higher risk for conversion to hypertension, which is consistent with the results of studies in Ghana and India [ 49 , 50 ]. One social causation hypothesis argues that an individual’s marital status determines one’s exposure to their social and economic conditions that influence health outcomes [ 49 , 51 ]. Previous research results show that domestic stressors have a greater effect on ambulatory BP in women than in men [ 52 ].…”

Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Level Among Visitors of Shar Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah City

“…Our study result shows that most cases are from urban areas, which are going with (17) also concluded that Hypertension is more common among urban residencies. The highest rate of hypertension cases was married, according to our study, but it is contrary to (18) results found that most hypertension cases were previously married.…”

Sex and Gender Influence on Cardiovascular Health in Sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from Ghana, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, and Botswana

“…In general, men derive more health benefits from marriage than women [ 23 ]. Our results are in contrast to a study conducted in Ghana that reported significantly higher odds of hypertension among women who were married while no association was found in men [ 24 ]. Marital status was found to be an independent risk factor for CVD in different SSA countries for both women and men [ 24 25 ].…”

“…Our results are in contrast to a study conducted in Ghana that reported significantly higher odds of hypertension among women who were married while no association was found in men [ 24 ]. Marital status was found to be an independent risk factor for CVD in different SSA countries for both women and men [ 24 25 ]. Country-specific targeted public health interventions and policies, including more effective risk factor assessment and awareness programs in community settings, keeping in mind the impact of marital status, should be considered in attempting to improve CVH.…”

Factors influencing the progression from prehypertension to hypertension among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a 2-year longitudinal study

“…Among women, married or cohabiting individuals had a higher risk for conversion to hypertension, which is consistent with the results of studies in Ghana and India [ 49 , 50 ]. One social causation hypothesis argues that an individual’s marital status determines one’s exposure to their social and economic conditions that influence health outcomes [ 49 , 51 ]. Previous research results show that domestic stressors have a greater effect on ambulatory BP in women than in men [ 52 ].…”